§ 4.12 p.m.
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, with your Lordships' permission, I will intervene to give a reply to the Question asked earlier today by the noble Earl. Lord Listowel. Her Majesty's Government are aware that the present law relating to common land in England and Wales needs to be reviewed. The Prime Minister has recommended to the Queen, and Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve, that a Royal Commission should be appointed to undertake a comprehensive review of the present law. The names of the Chairman and the members, together with the terms of reference, will be announced later.
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, I am glad to hear that a Commission is to be appointed, but I hope the Government will have some sense of urgency in this matter. It is over a year since the noble Earl himself told us that there were something like 2 million acres of land in this country gradually going derelict. I am afraid that if we have a Royal Commission which has to explore the whole country, it will be years before it reports. In the meantime, the Forestry Commission has been brought to a standstill for 1004 lack of land. Will the Government do all they can to speed this matter up, perhaps by dividing it and considering county by county by separate committees? Do the Government realise how vitally important this matter is?
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, I can assure the noble and learned Earl that the Government fully appreciate the urgency of this matter. I would correct him on one point, if I may. He said that over a year ago I referred to 2 million acres. I did not have the honour to occupy my present office a year ago.
§ EARL JOWITTIt is a considerable time ago. It seems like a year, at any rate.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, may I ask one supplementary question of the noble Earl? I agree with my noble Leader's emphasis on urgency. The noble Earl, Lord St. Aldwyn, said that the names of the Chairman and the members of the Commission and the terms of reference would be announced later. We are now about to adjourn for a three months' Recess. Does that mean that the names of the Chairman and members and the terms of reference will not be announced until after the three months' Recess, and, therefore, that the Committee itself will not get down to work until towards the end of the year?
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, obviously I cannot commit my right honourable friend the Prime Minister without reference to him, but I imagine he will probably announce it through the Press during the Recess.