The MP Sir Richard Acland handed over to the National Trust the 16,000 acres of beautiful West Country property which comprise his Killerton Estate and his Holnicote Estate. Sir Richard's gift to the nation was followed by a letter to 'The Times' by Lord Herbert, suggesting that the gift was an attempt by the donor to rid himself of the burden of his estate. The National Trust and Sir Richard himself, rebuked this claim, highlighting the fact that he would actually have made up to half a million pounds profit from his estate in one year alone.