§ Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Agriculture what enclosures of common land have taken place during each of the last three years?
§ Mr. RamsbothamDuring the years 1934, 1935 and 1936 approval was given to the enclosure, fencing of, erection of buildings on, or appropriation for special purposes of portions of commons and open spaces to the extent of 26, 99 and Ho acres respectively. Eighty separate areas were involved and the appropriations were approved under various Statutes mainly for public purposes. In 2285W one case, comprising 82 acres the enclosure was of a temporary nature on seven days only of each year, while in another case 54 acres were fenced against the highway, no actual enclosure taking place. In 48 instances land equally suitable from the point of view of the commoners and the public were added to the commons or open spaces in lieu, while in the remaining cases there was no material interference with public interests. Detailed particulars of all the cases are published in the reports of the Land Division of my right hon. Friend's Department, those for 1934 and 1935 having already been published and being obtainable from the Stationery Office. The report for 1936 will be published shortly and will be similarly obtainable.