HC Deb 07 July 1910 vol 18 c1782
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the terms of the document by which the rights of the Crown to mineral royalties for coal or other minerals being worked under the sea beyond the three-mile limit are protected, and the mines which are at present paying royalties to the Crown under the terms thereof?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

In no cases up to the present have the Commissioners of Woods, etc., granted leases beyond the three-mile limit. In all leases of under-sea mines they require the lessees to leave a barrier on the seaward boundary so that they cannot work beyond the three-mile limit without committing a breach of covenant for which the lease would be forfeitable. The workings in under-sea leases granted by the Commissioners of Woods are usually inspected at least once a year by the Crown mineral inspector.