§ MR. HERBERT LEWISI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state what amount was invested by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests during the financial year ended 31st March, 1899; and whether any, and, if so, what portion of this amount was invested in the purchase of ground rent; and where are such ground rents situated, and how many years purchase was paid for them.
§ MR HANBURYThe amounts invested by the Commissioners of Woods in the year ending 31st March, 1899 were £185,338 8s. 9d. in purchasing estates, and £328,604 0s. 6d. in Stocks, etc. The former sum includes £98,000 invested in purchasing (at 27⅗ years purchase) a freehold ground-rent at Knights-bridge, and £18,585 in purchasing (at 237/10 years purchase) an improved ground 439 rent payable for a term of 78 years secured on Crown property in Regent Street.