§ 74. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Lord Advocate whether he was aware that charters issued to landlords under the Act of 1592, c. 31 (Scotland), specified coal as coming under the terms of the Act; whether such charters placed upon the owners, to whom they were given, the obligation to pay one-tenth redden do or royalty to the Crown; and whether he would take steps to secure to the nation what was, according to this Act, the property of the Crown?
§ Mr. MORISONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The mention of coal in such charters would neither show that coal mines were anciently annexed to the Crown nor alter the effect of the Act. With regard to the rest of the question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on 26th March last.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the charters expressly mention coal, and that the holders of the charters are paying that redden do or royalty of 10 per cent.?
§ Mr. MORISONThere must be some misconception as to the effect of the 1105 charters, to which my hon. Friend refers. According to recollection, the effect of the Statute is to disjoin from, the Crown certain mineral rights which had been previously annexed to it. I cannot express an opinion as to the effect of the stipulations in the charters without consideration of their terms, but if my hon. Friend will give me notice of the charters to which he refers I shall be glad to help him in ascertaining their effect.
§ Mr. MACLEANMay I ask whether the mines which were disjoined were not leased out under the conditions stated in the charters?
§ Mr. MORISONAs to the charters, I cannot, as I said, answer the question without some information as to charters referred to.