§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, how much has been spent in the last ten years on re-afforestation in Great Britain and how much in Ireland by the Woods and Forests Department; and how much is received yearly from Ireland by that Department in the shape of quit and Crown rents.
§ MR. J. A. PEASE (Essex, Saffron Walden)The amount spent by the Commissioners of Woods during the last ten years in England and Wales on afforestation, by which term is meant planting new areas not previously under timber, as distinguished from replanting in old woods, is about £5,000. The cost of land in England and Wales bought during the same period for afforestation is about £1,200. There has been no expenditure on planting new areas in Scotland or Ireland, but £25,000 has recently been spent in buying land in Scotland for afforestation. The Commissioners of Woods receive about £30,000 annually in the shape of quit rents on land in Ireland.
§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, if any part of the purchase money for the estate recently acquired for the purposes of afforestation will be paid during the present financial year.
§ MR. J. A. PEASEThe whole of the purchase money was paid last November.
§ LORD BALCARRESasked on what Vote this money appeared.
§ MR. J. A. PEASEreplied that there was no specific Vote in connection with this matter, but if any hon. Member desired to call in question the policy he could do so on the salaries of Ministers.
§ LORD BALCARRESThe money has been paid. On what Vote does it appear?
§ MR. J. A. PEASEThe money has been paid by the Woods and Forests Department. It is a matter of administration.
§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)Then has the money been spent without the authority of Parliament?
§ MR. J. A. PEASEI understand that is so. £25,000 was the money required for the purchase of the estate, and that has been spent without any direct Vote in Supply.