§ Sir H. CROFTasked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many contracts have already been entered into or concluded with timber merchants or others for the cutting or sale of oak or beech timber in the New Forest; and whether an assurance can be given that 1500W 215, Vol. 209]) supplies the following statement:
Excluding the staffs of the Defence and Revenue Departments, the following table shows the number of inspectors for whom provision was made in the Estimates for 1914 and 1927. It should be added that certain of the staffs shown below are also occupied in supervising and controlling Government organisations, or upon duties of an executive character.
no more contracts for the sale of hardwood timber will be entered into until an agreement has been come to with the advisory committee of the New Forest Association?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERSince January, 1925, 56 contracts have been entered into or concluded for the cutting or sale of oak or beech timber in the 1501W New Forest. The Commissioners are unable to give an assurance such as that suggested, but they have received a preliminary report from the committee, and it is hoped that a satisfactory course of action can be worked out.
§ Sir H. CROFTasked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether the hardwood timber cut in the New Forest since the 1st January, 1926, has been cut by contract with the contractor's men or by woodmen employed by the Commissioners; what is the number of contracts entered into since that date for the cutting of hardwood timber, and the number of cubic feet of oak and beech, respectively, which has been sold or contracted to be sold; whether any hardwood timber now lying on the ground is unsold; and, if so, whether it is to be put up for auction or sold by contract?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERIn the case of only one felling of hardwood since the 1st January, 1926, were the woodcutters contractor's men; in all the other cases the Commission's woodmen were employed. Thirty-five contracts have been entered into since that date for the cutting of hardwood timber, and some 285,000 cubic feet of oak and 10,000 of beech have been sold or contracted to be sold. There is unsold hardwood timber now lying on the ground, which will be sold by contract.