§ 46. Mr. WHITELEYasked the Prime Minister whether any steps are being taken for the State ownership of mineral royalties, as recommended by the Samuel Commission?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)No, Sir. The practical advantages claimed for this proposal by its advocates have been secured in another way by the enlargement of the powers of the Railway and Canal Commission under the Mining Industry Act passed last Session; and in any case the present financial condition of the country makes it impossible to contemplate the creation of fresh debt and the increase in the staffs of Government Departments that this gigantic transaction would necessitate.
Mr. BECKETTCould the right hon. Gentleman tell us what use has been made of the powers that were given to the Commission last year?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must ask for notice of that question.