§ Mr. CAVEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Town Council of Richmond (Surrey), having recently acquired three copyhold cottages for the purpose of street improvement at the price of £1,125, were required to pay to the Crown (as lord of the manor) a sum of £246 for enfranchisement, with a further sum for the steward's charges; and, if so, on what scale the charge for enfranchisement was fixed; to what fund it is credited; and whether regard was had to the fact that the land was required for a public purpose?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe facts are as stated. The consideration for enfranchisement was calculated upon the same basis as is usual in the Manor of Richmond, and in the same way as a large number of enfranchisements have been settled for many years with the town council and with the copyholders generally. The consideration money is credited to the capital of the Land Revenues of the Crown. 545W In this, as in other previous cases of enfranchisement, to the town council, regard was not had to the fact that the land was required for a public purpose as under the Land Revenue Acts Crown land revenue property cannot be alienated for less than its value.