§ Mr. PRETYMANasked whether the correspondence which took place between the Board of Agriculture and the Duke of Bedford or his representatives in reference to the proposed purchase of the Thorney estate by the Crown will be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)It is contrary to the usual practice to lay before Parliament private and confidential papers relating to negotiations for purchase of property by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and the whole of the correspondence referred to is of that character. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to comply with the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.
§ Lord BALCARRESIn view of the fact that the correspondence has already been published in the Press, would it not be convenient to have it in official form?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIf that part of the correspondence over which I presume the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have any control has already been published in the public Press there would appear to be no advantage in reprinting it. The rest of it is private and confidential.
§ Lord BALCARRESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the correspondence to which I refer in my question relates not to the Department over which he presides, but to that of the Minister to which the question is addressed—the Board of Agriculture?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe President of the Board of Agriculture was writing in his capacity as Commissioner of Woods and Forests.