HC Deb 12 April 1910 vol 16 c1060
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, whether any land has yet been, or is about to be, acquired for the purpose of afforestation in Wales?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)

About 603 acres have been acquired in Merionethshire, of which 110 acres have been planted, as well as thirty-nine acres of sheepwalk on the adjoining mountain. There remain 493 acres of land let in small farms and 521 acres of sheepwalk, but no further planting can be done at present without turning out the farm tenants, and it is desirable to watch the progress of the existing plantations before carrying the experiment further in this locality. No further purchases are at present under consideration.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Where have these experiments been carried on?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I am afraid some of the names will not be intelligible, but I shall be happy to supply the hon. Member with them.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

Have these experiments been carried out at the expense of the taxpayers or the Revenue and postal authorities?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The Revenue and the postal authorities.