§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have signed a provisional agreement to sell the Eltham Woods to a private association?
§ MR. J. ROWLANDSI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether 1115 the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have entered into a provisional agreement for the sale of Eltham Park; whether the London County Council is trying to acquire the park; and whether the Government will prevent the sale of the property to private individuals until the Representative Authority of London has had full opportunity of negotiating for the purchase of it for the use of the people of London?
SIR J. GORSTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The answer to the first question is, No. The Commissioners of Woods have no knowledge that the London County Council is trying to acquire either Eltham Woods or the residence and land known as Eltham Lodge, or North Park, Eltham.
§ MR. J. ROWLANDSI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in the public interest the County Council should not be given an opportunity of purchasing this land before any other Body?
SIR J. GORSTNo, Sir. I do not think the Woods and Forests Commissioners can give the right of preemption to the London County Council. I am not aware that any negotiations on the subject have been entered into by them.