§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether any net revenue, after deduction of all outgoings and the whole cost of maintenance and management, has been derived from timber either in the New Forest or the Forest of Dean at any time during the last twenty-five years; and, if so, in what year or years and in which of the two forests was such net revenue obtained, and what was its amount?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe New Forest is maintained largely as a national playground. It is not possible in the case of either forest to apportion the cost of 2345 supervision accurately between the woods and other sources of income, and to ascertain the proper debit representing the value of the land planted.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any income whatever has been received from the forests during the last twenty-five years?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEUndoubtedly income has been received.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINCan the right hon. Gentleman give any information as to the commercial success or failure of the planting of the Forest of Dean?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is very difficult to give the net revenue, which is what I am asked. I am not asked to give the gross. It is difficult to give the net revenue, because it is impossible to apportion the cost of administration between income from the sale of timber in the wood and the revenue derived from other sources.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIs the difficulty any greater than drawing a distinction between expenditure in the Post Office on telegraph and telephone services?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe telephone and telegraph services are two distinct operations of a large character, the difference between which is clearly marked, but I do not think that is so in the other case.
§ Mr. PETOOught not the distribution of income be made just as in the case of a well-managed private business?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is quite possible to show the gross income, but we are asked to show the net, and we cannot do that for the reason I have explained.