§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the duty of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to defend public rights in Crown Lands against private encroachment by enclosure or otherwise; and whether the subject of encroachments on public rights of way and of common pasture will be considered by the Welsh Land Commission?
§ *THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. T. HIBBERT,) OldhamIt is the duty of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to defend the Crown rights in Crown lands against private encroachment; but it is the duty of local bodies representing the public to defend public rights whether in Crown or private lands. The question in paragraph 2 appears to be one for the 1732 Commission referred to, and not for the Treasury. I would suggest to my hon. Friend to endeavour to obtain powers for Parish Councils to defend such public rights.