§ 12. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what compensation is to be paid to those Commoners of the New Forest whose grazing and other rights are being damaged by the contemplated military manœuvres arranged to take place in that district during August and September next?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Lawson)An agreement has been made with the Verderers of the New Forest, providing for the payment of compensation to the Commoners for any interference with their rights or injury to their stock. Compensation officers are being appointed, who will personally investigate claims and, where possible, settle them on the spot.
§ Colonel ASHLEYCould the hon. Gentleman state by what date these claims have to be sent in?
§ Mr. LAWSONNo, I could not at this moment. The fact is that there are two agreements in respect of this matter, one between the Verderers and the Secretary of State, and one between the Verderers and the local command. The latter one deals with considerable detail, but I do not think there is any difficulty about the date at all.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the hon. Gentleman keep in mind that, though these Verderers do ably represent the Commoners in many respects, the Commoners have private claims, and I hope he will not rule out a private claim by a Commoner simply because the Verderers have made a separate agreement with the War Office?
§ Mr. LAWSONI will bear that in mind I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that in 1908, I think it was, similar manœuvres or training on a small scale took place, and on that occasion there was a quite satisfactory arrangement made on the question, and I do not think there is any doubt that the same will be the case on this occasion.