§ Sir ROBERT HOBART (Hampshire, New Forest)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Captain Reynolds, a registered commoner of the New Forest, has been refused by the Crown authorities the right of common, of fuel wood, and of turbary, to which ho is entitled by virtue of the statutory register of the New Forest commoners; and what is the reason for such refusal.
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. RUNCIMAN,) DewsburyThe Commissioner of Woods in charge of the New Forest is advised that the rights of fuelwood and common of turbary referred to in the Question have been lost owing to the pulling down and removal of the ancient messuage to which they were attached.
§ Sir ROBERT HOBARTBy whom has the Commissioner of Woods and Forests been advised? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that such questions as these arise entirely from the want of sympathy with the rights of the commoners and 778 the constant attempts to ride roughshod over them?
§ MR. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. The rights of these commoners are very clearly defined by law, and we have no power to grant common rights in regard to the messuage which has been pulled down and destroyed.