HC Deb 11 April 1934 vol 288 cc307-8
23. Mr. GEORGE HALL

asked the Secretary for Mines if he will state the number of cases where royalties paid on coal produced in South Wales exceed 1s. per ton; and will he give the highest amount paid in royalties per ton of coal?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)

The only information available is that which was specially collected for the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry (1925). Royalties paid in 1925 on coal produced in South Wales exceeded 1s. per ton disposable commercially in nine cases, and the highest rate was 1s. 9d. per ton.

Mr. HALL

Has the hon. Gentleman any information that indicates that there has been a reduction in the royalties?

Mr. BROWN

These facts were obtained by a very elaborate inquiry, and there has been no similar one since.

Mr. T. SMITH

Do the Government intend to implement the recommendations of the Coal Reorganisation Committee with regard to mining royalties?

Mr. BROWN

That is another issue.