§ 32. Sir JOHN JARDINEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can see his way to introduce a measure to preserve for the public benefit common lands otherwise likely to become the private property of lords of manors by the death or disappearance of the commoners or the purchase from them of their rights in the commons?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe preservation of common lands for the public benefit is provided for by the Metropolitan Commons Acts, 1866 to 1898, and the Commons Acts, 1876 and 1899. A Select Committee of the House of Commons is at present inquiring into the procedure under these Acts and 1051 as to its amendment and improvement. Local authorities have certain powers under the Commons Act, 1876, and the Local Government Act, 1894, of acquiring rights of common with a view to prevent the extinction of such rights and so to prevent inclosure of common lands.