§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURYwished to call the attention of the noble Duke the First Lord of the Admiralty to some circumstances connected with the management of the New Forest, and particularly with regard to the removal of some beech timber trees, which were some of the finest and largest in England. These trees had been cut down. He understood also that the roots of these trees had been grubbed up at an expense which could never be repaid. There were also a great many ancient yew trees in the New Forest which had been cut down. Now every one knew that single yew trees took up little or no space in such an area as that of the New Forest. He wished to ask the noble Duke whether he would have any objection to give the House a Return of the Number of Beech and Yew Trees cut in the New Forest between the 1st January, 1858, and 1st January, 1860, and the Amount for which they had been sold?
§ THE DUKE OF SOMERSETsaid, he was quite aware of the existence of some fine beech trees in the New Forest, but he had no knowledge of their having been cut down. He regretted that such fine trees should have been sacrificed, especially as they were of little or no value for timber. He believed that the felling of beech did not contribute much to the benefit of a proprietor, and he recollected the advice said to have been given by a nobleman to his son, always to plant beech in his park, because it was very possible that they might be spared by his successor, when oaks would not. He had no objection to the Return proposed.
§ Return ordered.