HC Deb 06 May 1892 vol 4 cc280-1
MR. PRITCHARD MORGAN (Merthyr Tydvil)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the present season of the year is favourable for surface operations, which will open mines to such an extent as to allow miners to work under cover during the coming winter, he will instruct the Woods and Forests Department to charge a uniform royalty upon all mines royal in private lands of one per cent., as in the case of the Morgan Mine, pending the Report of the Royal Commission; and whether he will now reduce the royalties to two per cent. upon Crown lands, as requested by those desirous of working them, pending such Report?

Mr. GOSCHEN

I have several times stated that I am prepared to authorise concessions similar to those made in the case of the Morgan Mine, when the circumstances are similar; but each case must be considered separately, and I am unable to give the general undertaking which the hon. Member asks me to give. I can conceive cases in which the temporary concession of a royalty of one-hundredth, pending the Report of the Royal Commission, would raise expectations which that Report might prevent us from fulfilling.

MR. PRITCHARD MORGAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by "circumstances"? Does he mean that persons should commence operations and have royalties fixed after they have gone to the expense of establishing the works?

MR. GOSCHEN

Some persons are perfectly willing to adopt a sliding scale.

MR. PRITCHARD MORGAN

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. He talks of a sliding scale which has been refused by all practical miners. Will he charge a uniform royalty, giving a chance for the development of this industry?

MR. GOSCHEN

I should be wrong to undertake anything of the kind pending the Report of the Royal Commission specially charged with inquiry into the subject. Surely the hon. Gentleman will see as well as I that it would be disrespectful to the Royal Commission to make any general reduction when, in a few weeks, we may expect the Report of the Commission.