§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his 1548 legal advisers have as yet approved of the draft agreement prepared on behalf of the Court of Verderers for the joint regulation by them and by the War Office of the proposed military manœuvres in the New Forest; and, if so, what is the position under that agreement of the Court of Verderers with reference to any claim for damages made by a commoner.
§ MR. HALDANEThe agreement has now been signed by both parties. It provides that the Verderers shall so far as possible and without prejudice to the right of any commoner to prosecute his own claim be entitled to represent the commoners in all questions which may arise between the military authorities and the commoners, and the Verderers will use their best endeavours to promote the settlement of such claims.
§ SIR ROBERT HOBART (Hampshire, New Forest)asked if it was not the fact that the Court of Verderers had expressed satisfaction with the agreement and were doing their best to aid the military authorities in making arrangements for the forthcoming manœuvres.
§ MR. HALDANEI believe that is so, and I hope the military will find it possible to obtain large quantities of butter, eggs, and milk locally.