73. Sir H. COWANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Interim Forestry Authority is, from its office in London, appointing a large staff of officials to control afforestation in Scotland and elsewhere; and, if so, whether this course is consistent with the assurance on which the Vote was passed in November last?
§ Mr. MUNROI am informed by the chairman of the Interim Forestry Authority that one new appointment has been made in Scotland, in consultation with the Scottish Board of Agriculture, and that nothing has been done that would conflict with any assurances given by the Government.
Sir H. COWANWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether a considerable number of other appointments have not been promised but not definitely made?
§ 74. Mr. PERCYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can state what is the acreage of timber-land in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, that has been cleared of timber during the War, the amount thereof that it is proposed forthwith to replant, the acreage of new land in each country it is at present proposed to appropriate for afforestation, the estimated number of workers that will probably be employed at an early date in such work, and the estimated cost?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)The Timber Supply Department of the Board of Trade are not in a position to give the figures asked for for England and Wales. They estimate that in Scotland 113,000 acres have been 1443 felled, or are in course of felling, and 30,000 acres in Ireland. Surveys in Scotland have also shown that 72,000 acres felled before the War have not been replanted. The Interim Forest Authority have prepared schemes for assisting the replanting of felled areas under correct sylvicultural conditions, and for obtaining areas for afforestation, but they will be unable to proceed with them beyond the initial stages until the legislation, which is to be placed before Parliament this Session, has been passed.
§ Major LANE-FOXIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that there will be a sufficient supply of seedlings for all the planting that will be required?