§ 75. Sir NEWTON MOOREasked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as repre- 1588 senting the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can give information as to the average cost per acre of the 78,000 acres now under trees and the cost per acre of planting the same; when it is contemplated the balance of the 72,000 acres will be planted; will he specify the different variety of trees being planted; when it is estimated the more quick-growing timber will be marketable; and if he can state the total expenditure on administration, acquisition of land, and planting operations, respectively?
§ Sir LEOLIN FORESTIER-WALKER (Forestry Commissioner)The average cost of the purchased and planted by the Commissioners was approximately £3 3s. per acre including buildings. The average cost of planting was £8 15s. per acre. It is contemplated that the balance of 72,000 acres will be planted by 1929–30; the programme for the current season is 22,600 acres. The species planted are mainly Scots and Corsican pine, Norway and Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, European and Japanese larch, oak, beech and ash. The first sales of the more quick-growing timber will be 15 years after planting. The Commission's expenditure (a) on administration in connection with acquisitions and cultural operations including local supervision (foresters) to the end of the last forest year was £302,700 (b) on the acquisition of 165,306 acres (91.051 plantable) purchased including buildings was £288,210, and (c) on planting operations was £682,500.
§ Mr. MARCHHas the Commission considered looking into Essex to see if they can grow elm and oak trees there?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERWe are planting in every county on every bit of land that we can find.