§ SIR. CHARLES W. DILKEasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is true that the gates on the north side of Oakly Enclosure in the New Forest have been locked, so as to prevent access by a much used road to the beautiful old woods known as Oakly and Berry Woods; and, whether such locking of gates is not contrary to the assurances given by the late Secretary to the Treasury?
§ MR. W. H. SMITH, in reply, said, he had ascertained that the gates had been locked as stated in the Question; but that he had communicated with the Commissioners of Woods, and had reason to believe that the roads would be opened in a day or two. He did not think that the assurances given by the late Secretary to the Treasury on the subject applied to the locking of the gates in question; but he was ready to admit that they might very fairly be taken to mean that the public should not be deprived of the convenience afforded by the ancient paths and roads through the Forest.