§ 63. Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether they will release the shepherds in their employment for work during the coming lambing season with neighbouring farmers; and, if not, what are the objections to so doing?
§ Colonel ROPNER(for the Forestry Commissioners): Such shepherds as are employed on forestry work will be released if they so desire.
Colonel BROWNIs it not a fact that in the past they have said that they will not, take them back; so what is the good of that?
§ Colonel ROPNERI do not think that is the case.
64. Colonel BROWNasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the average rent per acre received in North Tyne for the land now above the planted area; and what was the average rent per acre for this land when it was part of a balanced hill farm?
§ Colonel ROPNERAs no land above the Forestry Commission's planted or plantable land in North Tyne is separately let it is not possible to make any 1026 reliable apportionments of rents, nor can apportionments on a reliable basis be made in respect of the rents of such lands as part of a balanced hill farm.
Colonel BROWNDoes not that mean that the Forestry Commission are not desirous of disclosing the heavy losses they have made by not being able to let this land?
§ Colonel ROPNERThey have not made any losses, and they have let the land in question.
65. Colonel BROWNasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, why the offer of land for sale north of Haltwhistle for afforestation purposes has not been followed up?
§ Colonel ROPNERAll offers received by the Forestry Commission of land for afforestation north of Haltwhistle have been vigorously followed up. If the hon. and gallant Member has a specific case in mind I shall be glad to have it investigated.