§ 54. Mr. WALKERasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of the Consett Iron Company v. Clavering and Towneley Trustees, under the Mining Industries Act, 1926, has given an interpretation of the Act contrary to that given by a Scottish court in a similar case; that no appeal can be made to the House of Lords for a final ruling on the matter; and that by the said decision of the Court of Appeal the Consett Iron Company is compelled to pay an annual way-leave of £6,000 as against the £270 fixed by the Railway and Canal Commissioners, which places a heavy burden upon the collieries owned by the company; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation forthwith amending the 1926 Act so as to remove this state of affairs and to relieve the colliery industry of excessive land charges?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe answers to the first three parts of the question are in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, the question is being carefully considered in conjunction with other
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAs the reply involves a statistical statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL RETORT.
§ The information is as follows:
§ important problems affecting the coal industry. I cannot say more than that at the moment.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWill not the proposed legislation in regard to mining royalties necessitate the amendment of the Act which governs this particular problem?