§ 17. Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons who are in receipt of royalties from coal in Northumberland; and the amount paid during the last 10 years?
§ Captain CrookshankI regret that the information asked for in the first part: of the question is not available. As the reply to the second part of the question involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf the information is not available, how is it possible for the Mines Department to ascertain to whom compensation will be paid?
§ Captain CrookshankAll those questions will arise when we come to discuss the Bill.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut does not the hon. and gallant Member realise that it is necessary to obtain this information in advance, and does he not realise also that this is a very simple question which can be simply answered?
§ Captain CrookshankYes, and it has been answered in the simplest possible way by saying that the information is not at present available.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsMay I ask whether, when the Department receive a question such as this, they make a request to the owners to supply the information, and whether the owners refuse?
§ Captain CrookshankI have already said that as regards this particular information it is not available.
§ Mr. GriffithsBut did you ask the owners for it?
§ Following is the information:
§ The estimated amounts paid by colliery owners in Northumberland in royalties and wayleaves (including the rental value of freehold minerals where worked by the proprietor) during the years 1927 to 1936 are as follow:
| Year. | Amount. | ||
| £ | |||
| 1927 | … | … | 333,000 |
| 1928 | … | … | 310,000 |
| 1929 | … | … | 308, 000 |
| 1930 | … | … | 299,000 |
| 1931 | … | … | 298,000 |
| 1932 | … | … | 274,000 |
| 1933 | … | … | 298,000 |
| 1934 | … | … | 321,000 |
| 1935 | … | … | 319,000 |
| 1936 | … | … | 331,000 |
| Total | … | … | 3,091,000 |
§ 19 and 20. Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Secretary for Mines (I) the amount paid for wayleaves in or about the coal mines in Northumberland during the last 10 years, 1927 to 1936, respectively;
§ (2) the amount paid for rental value of freehold minerals, where worked by the proprietor, for 1927 to 1936?
187§ Captain CrookshankI regret that no information is available beyond that referred to in the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. TaylorWill the Minister say how the Department arrive at their annual totals of what is paid in royalty rents if they are unable to answer this question?
§ Captain CrookshankIf the hon. Member wants any details about how particular statistics are made up, perhaps he will put down a question.
§ Mr. TaylorMy question is very distinct and asks for a particular detail as to the amount of royalties and wayleaves paid in Northumberland in a stated period, and that is the detail for which I am now asking.
§ Captain CrookshankIt is a detail which is not at present available.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf this very simple information is not available, how is it possible for the Mines Department and the Government to determine the basis of compensation in connection with the forthcoming Bill?
§ Captain CrookshankWe may know the amount that is paid without knowing in any detail the actual number of persons receiving it.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat is the basis of compensation? Is it the number of persons, or is it simply a rough guess?
§ Captain CrookshankReally, these questions do not arise out of the request for information, which I am not in a position to give, because I have not got it. Perhaps hon. Gentlemen would like to discuss the matter with me, because I am only too anxious to help in any way to get all the information which it is possible to get.
§ Mr. TaylorI am not asking in this question for the names. I am asking for the amount. I put it to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the total is arrived at of the annual royalty paid in Northumberland; how can that total be made up without knowing in detail just how much was paid?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not want to anticipate the discussion, but if the hon. 188 Member has asked his question in reference to the Bill which has just been published—
§ Mr. TaylorI am not—
§ Captain CrookshankI may say there will be provisions to deal with it. But at this particular moment this information is not available, or I would give it.
§ Mr. T. SmithIs the Minister aware that the information was available a few years ago?
21. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Secretary for Mines the amount paid for wayleaves in or about the coal mines of the county of Durham during the last Io years, 1927 to 1936, respectively; and the amount paid in rental value of freehold minerals worked by the proprietor in the same county during the same period?
§ Captain CrookshankI regret that no information is available beyond that given in my reply to the hon. Member on 9th November.
Mr. StewartWill the Department be able to deal with the question of the disbursement of £66,500,000 if they do not know the simple details asked for?
§ Captain CrookshankOh, yes, certainly. By the time the appropriate occasion arises for distributing the money, no doubt this information will be available. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Certainly, under the provisions of the Bill.
§ Mr. Shinwellrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Minister has already stated that he is unable to give the information asked for.