§ 63. Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the right hon. Member for Tiverton, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that a number of tenant farmers are now under notice to quit, from the Liverpool Corporation, in the Vyrnwy district; that the corporation excuse their action by their alleged need of land for afforestation, whilst in fact some of the farms are outside their watershed; and that the corporation have on hand hundreds of acres remaining to be afforested; and whether, in view of the fact that the work is in part paid for out of public funds, he will take steps to stop the eviction of these farmers from their old homes?
§ Mr. ACLAND (for the Forestry Commissioners)The Forestry Commissioners are aware that, to avoid the risk of pollution of the water supply to the population of Liverpool, the corporation are taking ever for afforestation certain holdings in the Vyrnwy district. The corporation are at liberty to terminate tenancies without reference to the Commissioners. More men will be employed on the land during the planting and afterwards than are at present employed.
§ Mr. DAVIESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these farms are outside the watershed altogether, and are being used as sheep farms?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe difficulty of the Commissioners is that the arrangement was made 10 years ago between the Treasury and the corporation, and the Forestry Commissioners are, as it were, legatees of that arrangement and are bound to carry out their share of it as long as the corporation carries out its share, I will represent to the corporation with great pleasure the point that the hon. Gentleman makes.
§ Sir C. YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the planting of the old disused pit mounds, instead of evicting farmers from their farms?
§ Mr. ACLANDMy hon. and gallant Friend can raise that question on the Forestry Commission Estimates.