§ 31. Major Sir GRANVILLE WHELERasked the Secretary for Mines what is the amount of money paid for coal 211 in royalties for the years 1923 and 1924; what is the average royalty per ton throughout Great Britain; whether there is much difference per ton in the royalties paid in different districts; and what is the approximate net amount received by the mineral royalty owner per ton after Mineral Rights Duty and deductions for Income Tax, Super-tax, etc., have been made?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXSix million six hundred and forty-three thousand pounds were paid in 1923 and £6,430,000 in 1924. The average per ton was 578d. in each year, and the district average in 1924 ranged from 351d. in North Wales to 9'49d. in Cumberland. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the rate of Mineral Rights Duty is 1s. in the pound on the amount of royalty less Income Tax, but as the effective rate of Income Tax and Super-tax depends on the total income and family circumstances of each taxpayer it is impossible to express the total burden of taxation by any average figure. In the case of the largest owners the taxation paid in the two years referred to will therefore amount to about one-half of the royalty received.
§ Mr. WALLHEADWill the Minister say what service the recipients of this £6,000,000 render for the millions they get?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWhat royalty is paid in the Forest of Dean to the Crown?
Mr. BECKETTIs it fair for the Crown to make these royalty owners collect the money for them? Would it not be better to take the money straight away?