§ Mr. N. M'LEANasked the Lord Advocate if a declaratory summons was issued on the advice of the Lord Advocate of Scotland in 1848 against Richard Anderson Alexander, a Scottish mine owner, the summons having for its purpose the enforcement of the rights of the Crown under the Act 1592, c. 31 (temp. James VI. of Scotland) to the ownership of the minerals worked by him; and if the Government will place the papers relating to this case in the Library of the House, or in such other place where Members interested can examine them?
§ Mr. CLYDEA summons of declarator was raised by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests against Mr. Alexander of Rochsolloch and Airdrie in 1848. The purpose was to submit for judicial decision the question whether the Act 1592, c. 31 was confined to mines of metals from which gold or silver was obtainable, or extended to mines of baser metals, and iron-ore in particular. The case for the Commissioners was thought by the Law Officers to be attended with much difficulty, and the action was never carried to judgment. The action had no reference to coal, and this was expressly stated in the House by the then Lord Advocate on 20th July, 1848, when a question was asked regarding it. A copy of the summons and defences has been placed with the Librarian, in whose hands they will be available for examination by Members for a week.