§ 104. Mr. CAIRNSasked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, if he can give the number of schemes in respect to afforestation made under the unemployment scheme; if so, where and under what authority are such schemes in England, Scotland, or Wales; can he give the acreage planted, the cost of each scheme, the name of such areas in urban or rural areas, and the number of men engaged in each area; and the amount of money spent in each area and the amount spent by individuals, if any?
§ Mr. FORESTIER-WALKER (for the Forestry Commissioners)In respect to afforestation 592 schemes have been made under the unemployment scheme; such schemes have been entered into by the following authorities:
England—East Biding County Council, Borough of Tiverton, Leeds Corporation, Borough of Stratford-on-Avon, Liverpool Corporation, Bristol Municipal Charities, Clitheroe Corporation, Halifax Corporation, Borough of Kidderminster, Ecclesiastical Commissioners, Duchy of Lancaster:
Scotland—Dundee Water Commissioners, Dunfermline Town Council, Forfar Town Council, Airdrie Coatbridge Water Trust, Aberdeen Town Council, Lanark Middle Ward, Forres Town Council, Glasgow Corporation, Selkirk Town Council, Inverness Town Council:
Wales—Mountain Ash Urban District Council.
Information is not available with regard to the acreage already planted; the acreage will be ascertained when the areas are checked on the conclusion of the planting season. Under the approved schemes, however, 26,039 acres are being planted of which 12,767 are in England and Wales and 12,216 in Scotland; 21,637 are being prepared for planting, of which 6,084 are in England and Wales and 15,334 in 1545 Scotland; 8,222 are being cleared of scrub, of which 4,525 are in England and Wales and 3,697 in Scotland. In addition, there are road-making schemes and works of maintenance, which cannot be stated by area. On 18th March (date of latest return) 4,548 men were employed on the schemes, of which 2,879 were engaged in England and Wales and 1,601 in Scotland. The total cost of the schemes to the State is estimated at £206,230, which includes: England and Wales, £126,043; Scotland, £78,025. The total of £206,230 includes £66,006 for schemes on Forestry Commission areas, £66,544 for schemes in the Crown woods, and £73,680 payable in grants, including £24,726 payable in England and Wales and £48,954 in Scotland. It is estimated that the amount spent by individuals, if all the schemes are completed, will be in the neighbourhood of £200,000.