§ Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any official Reports showing that 1s. 2d. per ton is typical of the amount of royalty and way leave; and, if not, what is the average royalty paid per ton in the main coalfields of Wales, Yorkshire, and Durham?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd-George)I have no official Reports on this subject. In the case of the mine to which I referred in my speech on the second reading of the Finance Bill, the amount of the royalty was 1s. 2d., but I understand from the mine owners that this is higher than the average royalty in the United Kingdom, and that in the case I quoted there are special reasons why the royalty ran up to 1s. 2d. per ton. I regret that I am unable to give the information asked for in the second part of the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXAm I to understand that the instance quoted in the House by the right hon. Gentleman was an extreme case and not, as suggested, an ordinary one!
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI am afraid it was an extreme case. I understand from the mine owners it does not represent the average royalty which is charged.
§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSIs it not a fact that the average royalty is about sixpence?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEThat I would lather not answer; I have no official information. Probably the hon. Member knows as well as I do what the average is.