§ MR. FAWCETTasked the Secretary of the Treasury, Whether he will promise that the felling of timber, which he stated on Tuesday last was contemplated in the New Forest, shall not be permitted until the House has had an opportunity of considering the New Forest Bill now before Parliament?
§ MR. BAXTERSir, if the state of Public Business afforded a reasonable prospect of the New Forest Bill being discussed at an early date, such a promise as that desired by my hon. Friend might possibly be given; but, in present circumstances, I think it would not be wise to prevent the cutting down of the very small quantity of timber contemplated. At the same time, I assure my hon. Friend that nothing shall be done which may have the slightest tendency to prejudge questions hereafter to be decided by Parliament.
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, in consequence of the answer he had just received, he should take the earliest available opportunity of asking the House to affirm the inexpediency of allowing any timber to be felled in the New Forest.