§ MR. W. H. JAMESasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is the fact that a wholesale mutilation of large and ornamental holly trees has taken place throughout the New Forest during November and December last, by cutting off the heads for sale with the berries; by whose authority and by whom this has been done; what precautions have been taken to prevent the death of the trees so mutilated; what is the total amount receivable from the sale of such holly; and, whether a Select Committee of this House unanimously recommended, in 1875, that the ancient ornamental woods and trees should be preserved, and the character of the scenery be maintained, by the officials in charge of the said Forest?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. H. H. FOWLER),in reply, said, that no unusual cutting of the trees had taken place during the last season. The cutting was executed under the direction of the proper authorities, and as it was for the benefit of the trees no steps would be taken to prevent it. The amount which had been realized from the sale of the cuttings was £142 3s. With reference to the recommendation of the Select Committee that the ornamental trees should be preserved, they were endeavouring to carry it out; but the authorities had not the powers they required for the purpose.