§ Mr. WIGNALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that the reluctance of the Crown authorities to carry out the works needed in the Forest of Dean, i.e., the improving of surface drainage and 1290W the making of new roads, is viewed with anxiety not only by the many ex-soldiers who have recently been discharged by His Majesty's Office of Woods representative to allow of pupils or students being trained in forestry, but by the residents generally; that the improving of surface drainage and the starting of making new roads are an urgent necessity; that the number of men who were employed in prewar time are not now so employed; and whether he will take such steps as are required to put these works in hand?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Commissioners of Woods cannot admit any obligation to construct public roads through the Forest of Dean which are not required for Crown purposes. Service drainage work for the benefit of the mines would normally be carried out by the owners of the collieries affected. An application from the West Dean Rural District Council for a grant from the Land Revenues of the Crown towards the cost of the new water supply is at present before the Treasury, and an application has been received asking that the Crown should construct certain new roads in this district. I understand that in order to provide work for the forestry students, it has been necessary to discharge some temporary employés, but only one ex-soldier who was employed temporarily before the War has been discharged. A number of men who were temporarily employed in forming a new nursery last autumn had to be discharged when the work was finished.