§ SIR JOSEPH LEESE (Lancashire, Accrington)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether it is his intention to re-introduce the Bill promoted by the Agricultural Department last year for amending the Law relating to the procedure for vesting in local authorities the management of suburban commons, or at all events, a short Measure enabling the Board of Agriculture in suitable cases to override the veto at present possessed by lords of manors over Provisional Orders made by the Board of Agriculture, on due compensation being paid for injury to sporting rights affected by such orders: And, whether he is aware that a Provisional Order of the Board of Agriculture for placing the control of a common of 280 acres within a mile of the market place of Darwen, a manufacturing town of 40,000 inhabitants, is at present vetoed by the owner of the sporting rights over the said common, although such sporting rights have been valued at £5, and although full compensation for them has been offered to the owner?
§ * Mr. WALTER LONGNo definite decision has yet been arrived at by the Government with reference to the possibility of legislation on the subject of the regulation of commons, but I am afraid that the prospects are not now very favourable. In the Darwen Moor case, the lord of the manor is not willing to consent to the issue of a Provisional Order until a satisfactory arrangement has been come to with his shooting tenant. Negotiations are in progress which it is hoped may lead to a settlement, and I have intimated to the parties concerned my willingness to do anything in my power to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.