§ 21. Mr. PERKINSasked the hon. and gallant Member for Bye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he can state what action the Forestry Commission propose to take with regard to electric pylons in the New Forest?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPE (Forestry Commissioner)I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 6th July last to the hon. and gallant Member for the New Forest and Christchurch (Major Mills).
§ Mr. PERKINSIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that a very large body of opinion in this country is definitely opposed to any desecration of the New Forest by any pet scheme of the Minister of Transport; and is he also aware that these pylons cannot be erected in the New Forest without special legislation, and that any legislation proposed is going to be hotly opposed in this House and in another place?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Forestry Commission are well aware that there is a, strong body of popular support for themselves in their refusal to allow pylons in the New Forest.
§ 22. Mr. PERKINSasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he is aware that the Electricity Commissioners have no legal power to carry electric mains over the New Forest without the consent of the Forestry Commissioners; and whether he will give the House an assurance that under no circumstances will the Forestry Commission give this permission?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEWith regard to the first part of the question, the Forestry Commissioners are glad to have their own lay opinion confirmed on the high authority of the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins); as regards the second part of the question they feel that it might prove to be contrary to public policy to give such a sweeping assurance.