MR. SPENCER STANHOPEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government intend, during the present Session, to bring in any general measure relating to the Inclosure of Commons, or any Bill authorizing the proceeding with Inclosures in rural districts, for which Provisional Orders have been issued by the Inclosure Commissioners?
MR. BRUCESir, in 1871 a Bill on the subject was brought in by the Government and referred to a Select Committee, which reported it with considerable amendments. Pressure of time prevented it being further proceeded with during that Session. It was introduced substantially in the same form in the House of Lords in 1872, was passed through Committee without any material Amendments, and thrown out on the third reading. The principal objection to the Bill was the compulsory appropriation in all cases for allotments and recreation grounds of a specified proportion of the lands to be inclosed. In the course of the discussion in both Houses, there had been much difference of opinion as to the amount and distribution of the uninclosed lands in England and Wales. With a view to obtain as accurate information as is practicable on this point for the guidance of Parliament, an inquiry is now being made by the Inclosure Commissioners—1. Into the area of the common lands; 2. Into the area of the commonable or common field lands; 3. The character of the common lands as regards fitness for agriculture. It is to be hoped that the result of these inquiries may facilitate future legislation. But the Government are of opinion that without it no measure could at present be introduced with a reasonable prospect of passing into law.