§ 61. Mr. EDEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with regard to the proposal under his consideration for the exchange between Merton College, Oxford, and Messrs. Lavender and Farrell, Limited, of Worcester Park, of certain lands at Maiden, Surrey, under the Inclosure Acts, 1845 to 1899, he will say whether any of the land concerned of which the college are the freeholders is now, or has at any time been, open to the public; whether he has received any notices of dissent from the proposals; and what steps are being taken to make the proposed exchange known to the public?
§ Mr. WILLIAM WHITELEY (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. The lands proposed to be given in exchange under the Inclosure Acts by Merton College include 19 perches of Maiden Green to which the public have a right of access, but such right of access will not be affected by the exchange. The usual statutory notices have been published but no objection to the exchange has so far been received. I understand that this exchange will be followed by an application for the Ministry's consent under Section 22 of the Commons Act, 1899, to the appropriation of these 19 perches of Maiden Green for the construction of a road, subject to a larger area being added to Maiden Green in substitution for that appropriated. Notices of this proposal will be published and any objections that may be lodged will receive consideration.