§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the transfer of the Department of Woods and Forests to the Board of Agriculture, he will consider the advisability of replacing the private firm of land agents and surveyors to the Commissioners by public officials directly responsible to the President of the Board of Agriculture.
(Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The Department of Woods and Forests has not been transferred to the Board of Agriculture. The President of that Board is, by the Crown Lands Act, 1906, an ex officio Commissioner of Woods, and as such has been given the management of the principal agricultural estates of the Crown in England. More than one firm of land agents and surveyors are employed by the Commissioners of Woods, who do not consider that there would be any advantage, financial or otherwise, in adopting the suggestion made. I would also refer the hon. Member to the remarks of the Select Committee of 1890 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 333, of 1890, p. 7), in favour of the existing practice.
§ MR. BOWLESTo ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he will state, for each of the financial years 1905–6, 1906–7, and 1907–8, the total amount received, by way of fees and other remuneration of all kinds arising from their connection with the office of the Commission, by Messrs. Clutton, the land agents and surveyors to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests.
(Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) I am informed that the total amounts paid to 2105 Messrs. Clutton for collection of rents and for their other services, including travelling and other expenses, are:—
| £ | s. | d. | |
| For year 1905–6 | 4,759 | 18 | 9 |
| For year 1906–7 | 4,436 | 11 | 7 |
| For year 1907–8 | 3,148 | 7 | 0 |