Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Huntingdon elms which fringe the Military Canal from Hythe to Rye are beginning to die of old age; and whether, in view of the beauty of this 15-mile-long stretch of trees across the marshes, he 1261W can give an assurance that, when the times permit, the dead trees will be cut down and others planted in their stead.
§ Sir J. GriggThe Military Canal from Hythe to Rye was a part of the defences of this country against the forces of Napoleon, but only about a quarter of the canal is stilt the property of the War Department. The elms were probably planted in order to maintain the banks of the canal, but there is now sufficient undergrowth to secure this. No military purpose would be served by replanting the elms and labour is, moreover, not available to undertake this work.