We congratulate the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon the care
for national interests shown in the way in which on Wednesday he met Lord Robert Cecil's amend- ment to the clause exempting front taxation parks and open spaces to which the public are given reasonable access. The amendment was to the following effect : "The expression reasonable public access,' in connection with parks, gardens, or open spaces, shall include reason- able access by any of the military forces of the Crown for the purpose of military training or the like." Lord Robert pointed out that it was very doubtful whether the word " public " in the clause as it originally stood would include military forces. He was anxious that the Commissioners should have the opportunity of considering the question of the admission of military forces to such grounds as part of the " pablic " for purposes of exemption. It was of great importance that nothing should be done to discourage land- o 'men who allowed military training to go on in their parks and open spaces. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, while sympathising with the object which the noble Lord had in view, declared that it would not be obtained- in the way suggested. If the amendment were withdrawn, he would consider an amendment at a later stage giving the Com- .missioners .power to deal with this matter of military access to parks.
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