§ 64 and 90. Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANSasked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether the Government instructed any official to attend a sale of land by auction at Romford on Wednesday, 8th July and to purchase a meadow there, if so, at what price and for what purposes was the land bought; and (2) whether the sanction of the Treasury was given to the purchase of land at Romford at an auction sale held there on the 8th instant; and for what Department and for what purpose the purchase was sanctioned?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe sanction of the Treasury was given to the purchase of the land referred to and the sale was attended by the Crown Surveyor on the instructions of my colleague Mr. Leveson Gower. The land was bought for the improvement of the adjoining Crown Estate (which is under Mr. Leveson Gower's charge) at the price of £750.
§ Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANSWould the right hon. Gentleman say for what purpose it was bought, and whether, under the lease, cottages may be built upon it?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot answer the latter part of the question without notice.
§ Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANSCan the right hon. Gentleman say why it was bought at all?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed by my colleague that it was bought for the improvement of the adjoining Crown Estates, but I do not know the details.
§ Mr. WORTHINGTON EVANSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that this is—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman has already said that he cannot answer as to details without notice.