§ 75. Lieut.-Colonel COURTHOPEasked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many schemes have been approved for a grant from the Forestry Unemployment Fund; how many acres will be planted or prepared for planting under these schemes; how many men are employed; what sum is payable in grants; and what is the total cost of the schemes?
§ Mr. FORESTIER-WALKER (for the Forestry Commission)559 forestry schemes have been approved for grants from the Unemployment Fund; of these 86 are on Forestry Commission or Crown areas and 473 on woodlands of private individuals or local authorities. Under these schemes 25,371 acres are being planted, 20,834 prepared for planting, and 8,021 cleared of scrub. In the Crown woods there are road-making schemes 2370 and works of maintenance which cannot be stated by area. On 4th March (date of latest return) 4,428 men were employed on the schemes, and it is estimated that the total employment will be 5,131 men for 20 weeks. £70,340 is payable in grants to private individuals and local authorities. The total cost of the schemes to the Commission is estimated at £202,342. Including the grants amounting to £70,340, private individuals and local authorities will expend approximately £300,000 on their schemes.
§ Lieut.-Colonel COURTHOPEDoes that reply mean that for every £1 of grant the owners are spending £3 on these forestry schemes for the unemployed?
§ Mr. FORESTIER - WALKERThat is so.