§ 58 and 59. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) how many of the keepers' cottages owned by the Forestry Commission have main water, gas or electricity laid on to them;
(2) how many keepers' cottages are owned by the Forestry Commission in the New Forest; and the sums spent in 1947, 1948 and 1949 to date, respectively, on their maintenance.
Mr. T. WilliamsOnly in the New Forest are keepers employed, and in that area 11 keepers' cottages are owned by the Forestry Commission. The sums spent on maintenance of those cottages amount to about £13 in 1947, £46 10s. in 1948 and £143 in 1949 to date. Only the keeper's cottage at Stocking has electricity; main water is supplied to that cottage and to Oak Cottage South, while the remaining cottages are serviced by wells. None of the cottages has gas.
§ >Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreDoes the Minister think that the sums which he has mentioned as having been spent on repairs are sufficient, and is he aware that the standard of conditions given in these Forestry Commission cottages falls far below what is given elsewhere in the New Forest? May I ask him further, regarding a recent case where a private landlord expressed willingness to supply water to one of these cottages, why the Forestry Commission have not availed themselves of that offer?
Mr. WilliamsI am not aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. and gallant Member but I will undertake to have the matter looked into.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreWill the Minister answer the first part of my question: Is he satisfied that the sums he has spent on repairing the 11 cottages, amounting to about £170 in three years, are really sufficient?
Mr. WilliamsIf the cottages had been in first-class condition this expenditure might have been excessive; on the other hand, it may very well be that it is not sufficient; but I have promised to have it looked into.