§ Sir ROBERT HOBARTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the recent refusal of His Majesty's Commissioners of Woods to grant a licence to a pack of hare-hounds to hunt in the New Forest; and whether he can take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEMy attention has been drawn to the matter in question. The grant of licences for sport in the New Forest rests with His Majesty's Commissioners of Woods, who, as my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury explained on the 6th instant, has felt compelled to refuse leave for hunting by a certain pack of hare-hounds. I understand that the grounds of his refusal are that he is not satisfied with the proceedings of the Master. I regret that it should have been found necessary to refuse a licence for a pack which I gather was popular in the district, but I am afraid I am unable to intervene in the matter. I am, however, making further inquiry into the case, and am in communication for that purpose with my right hon. Friend and with the Commissioner of Woods.