HC Deb 16 March 1875 vol 222 cc1950-2
LORD HENRY SCOTT

rose to call attention to the present condition of the New Forest, particularly in respect to the operation of "The Deer Removal Act, 1851," and to move— That a Select Committee be appointed 'to inquire into and report upon the present condition of affairs in the New Forest, into the operation of 'The Deer Removal Act, 1851,' and particularly into the exercise and effect of the powers of in closure given by that Act to Her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests.' The noble Lord said, the effect of the operation of the Act of 1851 had been that nearly all the best land in the Forest had been enclosed; that very little would remain for the exercise of the rights of the commoners; and that the privileges of the public were seriously interfered with. Unless either the Government or the House interposed, all the rights of the commoners would be taken away, and the privileges of the public sacrificed. Before any fresh legislation on the subject was attempted, it was desirable that information upon it in all its bearings should be obtained by means of a Select Committee. The value of the rights of the commoners had never yet been ascertained, and justice required that their case should be inquired into. It was most important that the right of free user enjoyed by the public in the Forest should be preserved; and he might remark in connection with that point, that there was now awakening in the country a public feeling in respect to the inclosure of open spaces, of which they had a striking example in the case of Epping Forest.

MR. COWPER-TEMPLE

considered that ample grounds existed for the appointment of the Committee, and he hoped the Government would assent to the proposal. The policy under which the Act was administered tended to the destruction of the beauty and enjoyment of that great national place of recreation which could never be replaced.

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that he had no objection to the appointment of the Committee. The position of matters in regard to the New Forest was certainly not satisfactory.

Motion agreed to. Select Committee appointed, "to inquire into and report upon the present condition of affairs in the New Forest, into the operation of 'The Deer Removal Act, 1851,' and particularly into the exercise and effect of the powers of inclosure given by that Act."—(Lord Henry Scott.) And, on April 22, Committee nominated as follows:—Lord HENRY SCOTT, Mr. COWPER-TEMPLE, Mr. WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT, Earl PERCY, Sir CHARLES DILKE, Mr. LOPES, Colonel KINGSCOTE, Lord ESLINGTON, Mr. ALEXANDER BROWN, Mr. JOHN STUART HARDY, Mr. RYDER, Mr. ERNEST NOEL, Mr. EDWARD STANHOPE, and Mr. BIDDULPH:—Power to send for persons, papers, and records; Five to be the quorum.