§ 39. Sir ROBERT PRICEasked whether the Crown authorities in the New Forest have refused permission for the detachment of Royal Marine Artillery, whilst encamped in Beaulieu Park, to enter the enclosures marked Frame Heath and Hawk Hill, which are within the area of open forest over which the Court of Verderers have consented that military manœuvres should shortly be held; and the reason for this refusal, which, in the judgment of the Court of Verderers of the New Forest, is not reasonable or justified?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)Application was made to the Commissioners of Woods for permission for six companies of the Royal Marine Artillery, whilst encamped in Beaulieu Park, to train over a specified area of the New Forest, being the area used for the same purpose for five or six years past. The desired permission was given by the Commissioners, subject to the observance of certain general conditions, agreed upon with the War Office for such cases, one of which was that no fenced enclosures were to be entered, except by previous arrangement in each 1471 case with the officer commanding. The Verderers of the New Forest recently suggested to the commanding officer that the training should be on an area different from that for which the Commissioners of Woods had given permission, and that the men should be allowed to enter Frame Heath and Hawk Hill Enclosures. The Commissioners of Woods declined to accede to the alteration suggested, and the commanding officer is understood to be perfectly satisfied with the area originally decided on. It will be observed that the question of entering the two enclosures named does not arise since the training is not taking place on the area within which they are situated; but in any case it would be necessary to afford due protection to the trees which they contain.