§ MR. HANBURYsaid, he would beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that some of the Crown rights of Epping Forest which are nearest to London, and most frequented, have been sold by the Government during the last few months? and to call the attention of the House to the importance of securing the yet uninclosed portions of Epping Forest for the recreation of the inhabitants of the metropolis. He believed that the rights of the Crown had been disposed of for a mere trifle, and the enclosure of the forest would be a great disadvantage to the poor and labouring classes of the eastern districts of the metropolis, who were accustomed to resort to Epping for exercise and recreation. There had been more land enclosed in the last two years than in the foregoing twelve years.
§ MR. G. A. HAMILTONsaid, that as the hon. Member had not given notice of his intention to ask this question of the Chief Commissioner of Works, he had omitted to obtain the requisite information on the subject; but he would take an opportunity of inquiring into the matter, and ascertain whether the statement on which the hon. Gentleman relied was correct.