§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact, as stated in the Newspaper Press, that a valuable discovery of auriferous lead has been made in the workings of the Millwr Mining Company, Limited, near Holywell, Flintshire, and that, in driving levels at a considerable depth from the surface, some rich gold has been struck; whether, under the Acts of William and Mary, this gold will belong entirely to the mine owner, unless the Crown purchases the ore at £25 per ton; whether, under those Acts, if gold is found in a lead mine, a tin mine, copper mine, or iron mine, the mine owner is entitled to the gold, the Crown only having the pre-emption to purchase the ore at certain fixed prices; whether persons mining for gold alone, and not in combination with base metals, are protected in any way; whether the Woods and Forests Office are entitled to fix any royalty; and, whether legislation will be introduced by the Government with the view of protecting the State where gold is obtained from lead in the same manner as where gold is obtained by itself without being associated with the base metals?
§ MR. GOSCHENMy answer to the first paragraph of the hon. Member's question is, No. With regard to the second, third, and fourth paragraphs, I would refor him to the Judgments delivered in the case of "The Attorney General v. Morgan." My answer to the fifth paragraph is, Yes. As regards the sixth, I can say nothing till the Royal Commission has reported.