SIR ROBERT HOBAHT (Hampshire, New Forest)To ask the secretary of State for War whether during the coming military training of troops in the New Forest, instructions will be given to the military authorities to respect the rights of the Mew Forest commoners, to see that there is as little disturbance as possible of ponies and cattle, that the lawns are not cut up, and that all precautions against forest fires are taken by the troops; and further, if he also state the positions in the Now Forest that will be occupied, and for how long a period?
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command will give full instructions to the troops in respect of the points raised in the Question, and I have every hope that the troops will this year be not less careful than the troops who have been there previously. The Royal Marino Artillery will be there between May and September, two Volunteer brigades between the 4th and 12th August, and a third brigade between the 4th and 18th August. All will camp on private property, but we have not yet hoard from the General Officer Commanding the exact positions of the camps.