§ 16. Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked how, if at all, the duties and emoluments of the new deputy-surveyor of the Forest of Dean will differ from those of the present holder of that office?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe new deputy-surveyor of the Forest of Dean will be responsible, like the present holder of that office, for the local management of the forest. He will, however, be provided with responsible assistants particularly for estate management purposes, in order that he may be able to devote an adequate amount of time to the educational work arising from the utilisation of the forest as a forestry demonstration area, including occasional lectures to students and supervision of their practical studies. The present holder has a salary of £700, with house and land rent free and a small allowance of wood. He provides his own means of locomotion in the forest. The new deputy-surveyor will have a salary of £600, rising to £800, with a house and garden rent free, or alternatively a somewhat higher salary coupled with payment by him of a rent for the house and garden. He will also have a mileage allowance for expenses of moving about his district.
§ Mr. BATHURSTDoes that mean that the deputy-surveyor will himself give lectures on forestry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes. He will have charge of the educational arrangements in the forest and will give occasional lectures, though it will not be necessary for him to give a great deal of his time to lecturing.
§ 17. Mr. BATHURSTasked on how many and on what occasions and to what extent 1312 there has been either an increase or a decrease in the Crown contribution in lieu of payment of rates in the Forest of Dean during the last twenty-five years?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe amount of the Crown contribution in lieu of rates in the Forest of Dean varies, of course, with the amount in the £ levied on private property and the area of forest land under inclosure from time to time; it also increases where new buildings are erected on Crown land and decreases when old buildings are demolished and not replaced. There has been a large increase during the last twenty-five years in the area inclosed, and each new inclosure has been followed by a new contribution by the same period in the rateable values of Crown properties, as fixed by the Treasury financial year 1913–14 was nearly double the amount paid twenty-five years ago. As regards increases or decreases in the same period in the rateable values of Crown properties, as fixed by the Treasury valuers, the changes have been as follows: In 1900 some additional inclosures were valued at 5s. an acre, as against 10s. an acre on older inclosures, the assessment of which was considered far too high but was left undisturbed for the time as temporary compromise. In 1909 a level rate of 6s. an acre over all inclosures was arranged for a period of five years, which has now expired, and a fresh valuation is being made.
§ 18. Mr. BATHURSTasked whether the Government propose to reduce the contribution of the Crown to local rates in the Forest of Dean; if so, by what amount; and why, seeing that their royalty revenue has been steadily increasing and that they own the greater part of the property and wealth of the district, it has been decided to take a step which will throw an additional charge upon its poor and already burdened ratepayers?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe question what is the fair rateable value per acre of the woodlands is at present being inquired into by the Treasury valuer, who has also under consideration the rateable value of cottages which are alleged to be underrated, and of new buildings which have been erected by the Crown and have not yet been brought into account for rating purposes. I am unable to say whether the net result will on the whole be to diminish the amount of the Crown's total contribution or not. The local rates on mints are paid by the galees.
§ Mr. BATHURSTAs there is a general opinion in the district that there is to be a reduction in the Crown contribution, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in his opinion that is likely to be the result?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo. I have said in the answer that I cannot say whether there will be a reduction or not. It is impossible until the Treasury valuer has finished his work to find out whether it will be a larger or smaller sum which will be paid.
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that the Government is generally assessed more largely in other places as the rates increase?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere is no exception, of course. The Treasury valuers follow exactly the same principles in the Forest of Dean as are employed elsewhere.