§ MR. LEIGH-BENNETT () Surrey, ChertseyTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state when the lease of the land known as 1635 Old Dean Common, lying between Bagshot and Camberley, Surrey, granted by His Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests to the War Department, will expire; whether, notwithstanding such lease, it is in contemplation to let the portion of Old Dean having a frontage to the London and Southampton Road for building purposes; whether any rights of common or other rights of a public nature (or privileges analogous thereto) exist over the land in question; and whether, before such letting is finally decided on, consideration will be given to the views of residents in Bagshot, Camberley, and other adjoining places who will be affected thereby.
(Answered by Mr. Hayes Fisher.) The lease of the heath and woodland, including Old Dean Common, granted to the War Department, is for a term of 21 years, to expire on the 5th January, 1923, determinable by either party at the end of the first seven or fourteen years on giving six months notice, and determinable also as to a strip half a mile in depth from the Bagshot Road, by the Commissioner of Woods at any time on giving one month's notice. This latter stipulation was made in order that the Commissioner of Woods might be in a position to let the land for building purposes. There are no rights of common or public rights over the land, which was purchased by the Crown upwards of 40 years ago. In making the purchase, consideration was given to the availability of the land for building. A good deal of land fronting the road and belonging to other owners has been appropriated for building purposes, and the Commissioner of Woods does not propose to consult the residents as to the disposal of the Crown lands in his charge.