§ 35. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary for Mines whether any offer has been made by the owners of coal royalties to transfer their rights to the State, and at what price?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe Mineral Owners' Joint Committee have informed the Government that, while they are still opposed in principle to the compulsory purchase of coal royalties by the State, they are prepared, on the assumption that the mineral owners will receive fair compensation, to render such assistance as is in their power in connection with the framing of the Government's proposals; and they have suggested that a fair price for the minerals to be purchased would be £150,000,000.
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre the Government proposing to concede the claim of the mineral royalty owners?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe hon. Member must not try to anticipate the terms of the Bill.
§ Mr. SHINWELLMay I ask what point has been reached in the negotiations Have the Government given a flat refusal to the demand, or do they propose to favourably consider it?
§ Mr. MATHERSWill the Secretary for Mines say—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have done only 35 Questions in three-quarters of an hour.