NEW FOREST. (Hansard, 16 February 1937)

HC Deb 16 February 1937 vol 320 cc1002-4 1003

§ 81. Sir W. Davison
asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether his attention has been drawn to the recent report of the New Forest Association from which it appears that the tracks, rides, footpaths, roads, and ditches in the forest are urgently in need of repair; and whether he will consider the desirability of employing men out of work in carrying out these necessary repairs which require no special skill?

§ Mr. Westwood
On a point of Order. Is it in order for an hon. Member who asks a question to be provided with the answer before the House itself gets the answer?

§ Mr. McGovern
And then to hand the answer over to the Minister so that he can reply.

§ Mr. Speaker
As long as the House gets the answer, that is what really matters.

§ Sir G. Courthope
The Forestry Commissioners are giving attention to the questions raised in the report referred to by the hon. Member and to questions of a similar nature affecting the management of the New Forest. In the meantime they have no unallocated funds at their disposal for the relief of unemployment in that district.

§ Sir W. Davison
Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department keep in touch with the Ministry of Labour with a view to the establishment of an unemployment camp in the New Forest, which is a place eminently suitable for such a camp?

§ Sir G. Courthope
We are already in communication.

§ Mr. Thorne
On a point of Order. If the same practice in dealing with answers were followed in the case of all Members

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§ of this House, would it not be quite impossible for us to get through questions? They would have the answer well in advance and would know what supplementaries to put to Ministers.