§ 22. Mr. McENTEEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether in respect of the application which has been made to his Department by the Esher Urban District Council for consent to enclose 1,497 yards of poor's allotments to assist in the development of Brooks Farm estate, he has made inquiry into the allegation that the said council have already encroached on the Tilt Common and Charity Land, and are proposing further encroachment; if not, whether he proposes to hold a full inquiry into the matter before sanctioning the Esher Urban District Council's application; whether he has in his Department a map showing the exact location of the 20 acres of poor's allotments described in the Cobham Enclosure Act, 1793, as the Tilt, Leigh Hill, and Brook Hill; and whether such map is available for public inspection?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAccompanying the application referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question was a statement that a slightly larger area of land was proposed to be added to the common in substitution. It has since been alleged that the land proposed to be added formed part of the Poor Allotments set out under the Cobham Enclosure Act, 1793. The award and map made under the Act are not in the custody of my Department. The Act provided that copies of the award and plan were to be deposited with the Clerk of the Peace, the vicar and churchwardens of the parish of Cobham, and with the records of the Manor, but I gather that, so far, the Esher Urban District Council have been unable to trace the present whereabouts of a plan. My consent to the proposed enclosure will not be given without due regard being had to all the interests involved.