HC Deb 08 May 1918 vol 105 cc2143-4
44. Mr. R. McNEILL

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Canadian Forestry Corps are engaged in felling some 300 acres of Scottish pine trees on Penrith Beacon, Cumberland, and that a portion of the wood near Stag-stones was recently destroyed by fire owing to the corps having burnt the tops and branches of the felled timber; whether, in so doing, the corps was acting on specific instructions; whether pine-weevil has been ascertained to be present in this wood; why this waste of fuel was permitted; and if he will give instructions that no further destruction of tops and branches of trees shall take place on Penrith Beacon'

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Albert Stanley)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. A company of the Canadian Forestry Corps are felling timber at Penrith Beacon. By the purchase agreement they are required to clear up after felling and to burn the brush, as is usual, but wood fit for fuel or other purposes is removed as far as possible before burning. On one occasion the fire spread from the burning brush to part of the standing wood, but was extinguished promptly. No timber was destroyed or damage done. Without further inquiry, I am unable to say to what extent this wood contained pine-weevil.

Mr. McNEILL

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department, in answer to a question put by me the other day, said that the burning of these tops of branches was entirely due to the necessity of precautions against pine-weevil, while the right hon. Gentleman now says it was necessary in order to clear the ground; is not the real reason for this policy that it has been found that unauthorised persons are apt to come on the ground and take away firewood, and would it not be an advantage that they should do so rather than that this waste should occur?

Sir A. STANLEY

I am afraid I could not give an answer offhand to that particular question. I know that in this particular instance referred to it was a condition of the agreement that this refuse should be destroyed.

Mr. McNEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that no such agreements are made in future? The right hon. Gentleman now sees that such agreements provide for the waste of a great amount of valuable fuel when it is very scarce and dear.

Sir A. STANLEY

I agree. I think that is a point that requires consideration, and I will bring it to the attention of the Department.