§ 64. Mr. EDEasked the Secretary of State for War when his Department secured the freehold of Newbridge Common, Pirbright, Surrey; whether he claims that all rights of common in this land have been extinguished; if he is aware that the land has been and is much used for air and exercise by the inhabitants 965 of the district and others; if it is proposed to dispose of the land for private building; if so, when the sale will take place; and whether, in view of the desirability of retaining access for the public to all land to which they now have access for air and exercise, he will countermand any proposed sale?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. SHAW)The freehold of this property was acquired by the War Department in 1877. All rights of common were extinguished in 1878, and any public user of the land has been unauthorised. It is proposed to put the property up for sale on the 13th of this month. As regards the last part of the question, as the land is not required for military purposes, I regret that I cannot agree to countermand the instructions for its disposal.
§ Mr. EDEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, inasmuch as this land was in the occupation of the Crown, it was impossible for the local town planning authority to plan it as an open space, and will he be prepared to receive representations from the rural district council and the county council concerned with regard to the future use of this land, which is in fact an open space?
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNCan the right hon. Gentleman say if it is part of the Chancellor's plan to dispose of the surplus Government lands to private persons so that he can get some land values to tax?