§ SIR ROBERT HOBART (Hampshire, New Forest)To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that Mr. Henry Taylor, a registered commoner of the New Forest, has, during three seasons, been prevented by the deputy surveyor from exercising his right of cutting turves on the New Forest for consumption as fuel in his messuage, as entered upon the statutory register of New Forest Commoners; and whether, seeing that the existence of Mr. Taylor's right has been admitted by His Majesty's Commissioner in charge of the New Forest, it is proposed to pay Mr. Taylor any, and what, compensation for this interference with his statutory rights.
§ (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I learn that the right to cut turves was attached to an ancient messuage which was demolished a few years ago, and upon its demolition the right ceased to run. A new house was built in 1903–4, and it was claimed that the re-building had been carried out in such a manner as to cause the right to revive. There was a dispute as to the facts, and the deputy surveyor, acting entirely in accordance with standing instructions previously given to him and founded on legal advice obtained by the Commissioner of Woods, refused to admit the claim and for three seasons withheld an order for turves. Recently further evidence as to the facts has been brought forward and a fresh opinion obtained from counsel, and in the result the claim has been allowed, and it is proposed, if Mr. Taylor applies for it, to allow him an extra quantity of turves to make up for those withheld since the new house was built.