asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Controller of the Department for the Development of the Mineral Resources in the United Kingdom, presented to Parliament in 1918, and particularly to the statement that gold of the value of £368,847 was recovered from mines near Dolgelly, Merionethshire; what sum was paid to the Treasury by way of royalty in respect of such gold; whether these mines are at present un-worked for want of capital; and whether a sum equivalent to the royalty received could be advanced, on loan or otherwise, so as to un-water and re-open the mines and provide work for the unemployed of the district?

I have called for a report on this question, and will communicate shortly with my hon. Friend.