§ SIR ROBERT HOBART (Hampshire, New Forest)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether His Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests have refused to pay the parochial rates on the keeper's lodge at Holiday Hill, Lyndhurst, in the New Forest, whereby the local authorities are losing the value of the rate, and the occupier of the lodge, Keeper Sims, has been deprived of his Parliamentary vote after its enjoyment of twenty-seven years; and whether steps will be taken forthwith to put this matter right.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The cottage in question is occupied by a 868 Crown woodman. There appears to be a doubt as to the parish within which it is situated. The Commissioners of Woods are satisfied that it is in the parish of Minstead, but the parochial authorities have not asked for payment of rates. Whenever they do so the Commissioners will be ready to make the usual donation in lieu of rates. The Commissioners have no information to show whether or not the woodman is on the register of voters.