§ 38. Captain Duncanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for the purchase out of the National Land Fund of the woodlands at Whyligh, Sussex, the property of the late Lord Courthope, now offered for sale, and hand them over to the Ministry of Works, so that the oak for repairs to the roof of Westminster Hall may always continue to come from the same estate as the oak used originally 650 years ago for its construction and continuously used since for its repair.
§ Mr. H. BrookeMy right hon. Friend will certainly consider using the National Land Fund to enable these woodlands to 2165 be placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commission, if they should be offered towards payment of death duties, and if satisfactory arrangements can be made.
§ Captain DuncanIs my right hon. Friend not aware—if he has read The Times—that these woodlands are being offered for sale? Will not he take steps to see that the Government make an offer for this traditional oak, which has been used in Westminster Hall for so long?
§ Mr. BrookeI very much appreciate my hon. and gallant Friend's Question. I did read in The Timesthat these woodlands were to be offered for sale. That is rather different from offering them to the Inland Revenue in part payment of Estate Duty.