§ LORD HENRY SCOTTasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he would state to the House what is the exact nature and extent of his responsibility for the Office of Woods and Forests, and how far he has any control over or management of Crown property and of the rights of the Crown over lands, forests, and foreshores; and, whether his responsibility is in any way shared by the Secretary to the Treasury; and, if so, in what degree is so shared?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, by the 10 Geo. IV., c. 50, s. 9, it is enacted that the Commissioners of Woods and Forests are to observe the directions, not being contrary to the provisions of that Act, which shall be given by the Treasury touching the discharge of their duty. By the 60th section of the same Act it is enacted that no sales, except sales for not more than £100, and no exchange, lease, or grant shall be made by the Commissioners of Woods under that Act without the previous authority of the Treasury. By an Act passed in 1866 the jurisdiction over the foreshores is removed from the Woods and Forests and conferred upon the Board of Trade. The noble Lord is as able as I am to construe these clauses, and, no doubt, he sees that the respon- 472 sibility technically rests with the Lords of the Treasury, though matters would be managed by the Secretary to the Treasury.