§ MR. J. O'CONNORI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of the Woods and Forests Office to reduce the royalties on gold and silver in 589 Ireland to 1 per cent., as they have done in the case of the Welsh gold mines; what was the reputed value of the gold obtained by the peasants and landowners in the County of Wicklow about the year 1796, immediately preceding the Government taking possession of the mines; what was the value of the gold obtained by the Government after the mines were taken possession of and worked by the Crown; what was the amount of money expended by the Government in erecting barracks for the soldiers and for officers' quarters and works, which were burnt down by the residents and rebuilt, and then again burned down as a protest against the action of the Crown; and has any attempt been made from that time to this to open up these mines by the Crown or any other persons; have any leases been granted in Ireland to work for gold and silver (these metals being the property of the State), with an absence of conditions to work; and, if so, in how many cases and on what terms; and, if so, what area of land is owned by such lessees; does he intend to insert any provisions in the Bill which he has before the House for the management and regulation of the Woods and Forests Office which will deal with the administration of the possible gold fields of Ireland; and how many leases are now in existence for working gold and silver in Ireland, and what area of land do such leases embrace, and how many men are employed in the undertaking?
§ * THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareThe hon. Member almost asks for an historical treatise to be given across the floor of the House. The arrangement for the reduction of gold-mining royalties to 1–100th only applies at present to the Morgan Mine. Where similar conditions are present, similar treatment will be given to mines in any part of the United Kingdom, but the case of each mine must be considered separately. As regards the historical questions in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, the hon. Member will find information with regard to the Wicklow Goldfield on p. 211 of the third Report of the Mining Royalties Commission, but I do not know that it would be possible 590 now to give some of the particulars for which he asks. The answer to the fifth and sixth paragraphs of his question is in the negative. In answer to the last paragraph, three leases are now in existence for working gold and silver in Ireland, embracing an area of 5,535 acres. So far as is known, no men are at present employed in working for gold and silver in this area.
§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the reduction of royalties promised by the Government from 1–30th to 1–100th in respect to the Morgan Gold Mine will apply retrospectively, so as to allow what has already been paid or charged in excess of one per cent. against any future royalties?
§ * MR. GOSCHENThe reduction of royalties in respect to the Morgan Gold Mine will not apply retrospectively. I have stated that it was granted to secure a modus vivendi, and to avoid the alleged necessity for the dismissal of labourers, and not because the sliding scale previously offered was inequitable. I therefore see no reason why it should apply to the past. The company have themselves to blame if they did not accept a reduced scale of royalties earlier.
§ MR. A. O'CONNORI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is within his knowledge that large quantities of auriferous and argentiferous ores from foreign countries are treated in Swansea and other places; whether the Crown can claim any royalty upon the production of gold and silver from such ores; and whether he will consider the advisability of allowing the productions of mines within the United Kingdom free competition with foreign productions?
§ * MR. GOSCHENThe official Returns do not distinguish the imports of auriferous and argentiferous ores, but I believe that some gold and silver is extracted from foreign ores at Swansea and other places. The Crown is not the owner of this gold and silver, and, therefore, can claim no royalty upon it. I understand that by the last paragraph of his question the hon. Member expresses a desire for the abolition of royalties. I would remind him that 591 the whole subject is at present under consideration by a Royal Commission.
§ MR. J. O'CONNORMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can state what the difference is between the royalties in Wales and the royalties in Ireland?
§ * MR. GOSCHENThere is no difference between the royalties in Wales and the royalties in Ireland.
§ MR. A. O'CONNORMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government recognise the fact that the imposition of revenue upon mineral products in this country handicaps the producer?
§ * MR. GOSCHENI think that is an argumentative question which must be left to the consideration of the Royal Commission.
MR. PRITCHARD MORGAN (Merthyr Tydvil)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the royalty is five per cent. in Ireland and one per cent. in Wales?
§ * MR. GOSCHENConsidering that no ore is being extracted from minerals in Ireland I fail to see how that would be possible.
MR. PRITCHARD MORGANNeither is there likely to be as long as the present exactions in the form of royalties continue.