§ 37. Viscount SANDONasked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps, by the use of licences or otherwise, to avoid trees being cut down to make room for new roads or for road alterations unless there is no proper alternative; and whether he will see that all authorities involved in this matter are co-ordinated to avoid committing vandalism?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have reason to know that local authorities, when planning their road widenings or constructing new highways, usually take great care to avoid or minimise the destruction of timber. In various cases where I considered that a modification of the scheme would enable still further trees to be 539 saved, I have successfully intervened, and I can assure my hon. and Noble Friend that a close watch is kept on this matter by my Department in so far as the work of highway authorities comes under my review.