§ SIR HARRY VERNEYasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the report is true that within the last five years a great quantity of the finest beech and oak trees in the New Forest have been cut down, that much of the wood has been sold for firewood; and, whether the Government will take measures to prevent any further destruction of the timber in the Forest until the question has been discussed in Parliament?
§ MR. BAXTERSir, I am informed that oak and beech trees have been cut down to some extent in the New Forest during the last five years; but wherever it has been found possible to do so without too great a sacrifice, the most ornamental timber has always been left standing. None of the wood has been sold for firewood except the smaller branches and such defective trees as were not adapted for any other purpose. At present it is only in contemplation to fell a very small quantity of timber—not more than is necessary for the proper management of the property in compliance with the Acts of Parliament.