§ MR. WOODS (Lancashire, Ince)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he is aware that the coalowners in the Midland Counties have locked up their mines against their workmen, and thereby thrown out of employment over 300,000 miners, and indirectly over 500,000 other workers; whether he is aware that the proposals of the coalowners in the action they have taken has caused a revulsion of feeling in the public mind against them; and whether, with a view of pre- 771 venting these periodical conflicts between capital and labour, Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to initiate, or if introduced next Session support, legislation having for its object the national-isation of Mines and Royalties rents?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEThe question of mining royalties and mines is a very large one indeed, upon which undoubtedly I should not feel myself justified in giving any opinion on my own behalf or on behalf of my Colleagues without a much fuller study than I have had an opportunity of giving it. The hon. Member will see how vast a question it would be to take the property in fee simple in mines and royalties into the possession of the State evidently with a view to the consequent intervention of the Government through the medium of the Executive. I am afraid I can only say I am quite certain that when the question is brought forward it will be most carefully and comprehensively examined. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that it has been recently considered by a Commission. Then, with regard to the occurrences in Wales, I fear that I have no information that would justify me in speaking upon them or professing to supply hon. Members with information other than such as they may gather from sources open to all, nor would it be wise on my part to do so in view of the state of public sentiment in the districts where the difficulty between employers and employed has occurred.