HL Deb 01 August 1906 vol 162 cc1019-21

On the order for going into Committee on the Crown Lands Bill,

LOUD CASTLETOWN

said: Before going into Committee I would like to ask the Lord Privy Seal a Question, of which I have given private notice, with reference to the purchase of lands and the expenditure of money which may be raised by the various departments, About a year ago a very vigorous attempt was made in Ireland to carry out some scheme of afforestation. Those who were interested in the matter saw the late Chief Secretary and the present Chief Secretary on the subject. We were pressed to try and bring forward a scheme, which we are trying to do at the present time, and we were also asked what funds would be required. We stated that the quit and Crown rents were being redeemed under the sale of land to the tenants, and that this fund would form a good basis under which afforestation could be carried out. We are very anxious to know whether Clause 10, which seems slightly ambiguous, could be construed as being a basis of such a fund. We are anxious, if possible, that this quit and Crown land as it is redeemed should not be swallowed up in the Treasury finances and be diverted entirely from what we consider is the purpose for which it ought to be utilised. They are practically rents which are received from lands which were confiscated a great many years ago, and which at that time were heavily afforested and of great value. We think we can fairly ask that some such scheme should be arranged and that these particular sums might possibly be devoted to this purpose. If possible, we would ask for some assurance that it might be utilised for the purpose of Crown lands or of land which might be turned into Crown land and then re-afforested by State aid, as is done on the Continent very profitably.

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Marquess of RIPON)

I am afraid I cannot tell my noble friend that these particular sums are likely to be or could be disposed of in the manner proposed, and I say that not at all from any want of interest on the part of the Government in the question of re-afforestation, for nothing can be more important in many districts, but these sums are capital receipts; they are not annual receipts at all. The amounts received in a given year are exceedingly uncertain, and they are of a nature which ought to be disposed of as capital sums. Under these circumstances I fear it would be impossible to make any alteration in the clauses as they stand. But, if my noble friend is looking for the re-afforestation of Crown lands there is nothing to prevent a portion of the income of the Crown revenues being devoted to that purpose. It is proposed in the first clause of this Bill to add the Minister of Agriculture to the Office of Woods for the very purpose of dealing, among other things, with this question of afforestation.

LORD CASTLETOWN

I beg to thank the noble Marquess for his kind answer, which quite satisfies me.

House in Committee (according to order): Bill reported without Amendment: Standing Committee negatived: Then (Standing Order XXXIX. having been suspended) Bill read 3a and passed.