HC Deb 30 June 1925 vol 185 cc2214-5
38. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Secretary for Mines the coal areas of Great Britain in which the State has royalty rights, the areas from which revenue is being drawn, and the amount for the last financial year?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Edward Wood)

I have been asked to reply. As the answer is rather long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

With the exception of small areas in the Counties of York, Durham, Carmarthen and Pembroke, and an extensive area in the neighbourhood of Dean Forest, the coal areas in which the State has royalty rights are practically confined to lands under the sea and foreshore. Revenue is being derived from areas in the Counties of Cumberland, Durham, Northumberland, York, Kent, Carmarthen, Pembroke, Argyll and Ayr, and the Firth of Forth and Dean Forest districts. During the year ended 31st March, 1925, royalties from coal amounted to the gross sum of £121,734 9s. 11d.

Mr. MARDY JONES

It is very important that we should know in what parts of the country there are ground rights for royalties.

Mr. WOOD

If the hon. Member will not mind waiting, he will have that information to-morrow in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. JONES

We want it now, and I do not see why we should not get it now. There are not many parts of the country where there are ground rights.

39. The HON. MEMBER (for Mr. CAPE)

asked the Secretary for Mines the amount of revenue to the State from the royalties in the Cumberland coalfield during 1924; whether these royalties have now been leased to private persons; and, if so, whether he will give the names of those concerned?

Major Sir HARRY BARNSTON (for Mr. EDWARD WOOD)

I have been asked to reply. The revenue received by the State from the royalties in the Cumberland coalfield during the year ended 31st March, 1925, amounted to the gross sum of £8,787 2s. 2d. These royalties are reserved in four leases, the lessees being

  • The Earl of Lonsdale.
  • Mr. Alan D. Curwen.
  • The Risehow Colliery and By Products Company, Limited.
  • The St. Helen's Colliery and Brickworks Company, Limited.