§ COLONEL KINGSCOTEasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether, pending legislation for carrying out some of the recommendations of the Select Committee which sat in the year 1874 on Dean Forest, he will communicate with the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods and Forests, urging them to give further facilities to the inhabitants of the Forest of Dean for purchasing waste or other land in the said Forest belonging to the Crown, for building or garden purposes, as provided by the Act 10 George IV., c. 50, s. 98?
§ MR. R. E. PLUNKETTwished to ask a Question of which he had given Private Notice, Whether the hon. Gentleman could hold out any hope that the Government would undertake any legislation upon this subject during the present Session?
§ MR. W. H. SMITH,in reply, said he had already communicated with the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, who were under the impression that they did not possess sufficient powers under the section of the Act to which the hon. and gallant Member referred. They had been requested to take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown, and if it was found that that section did not give sufficient authority to the Commissioners to sell land for building or garden purposes in the Forest, a short Bill would be introduced with the view of giving them that authority, and also to enable them to lease land in the Forest.
In reply to, a further Question from Colonel KINGSCOTE,
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he would undertake to communicate the decision of the Law Officers as soon as it was received.