§ 34. Sir J. POWERasked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether the advisory committee in regard to the cutting of ornamental trees in the enclosures in the New Forest has yet been appointed; and whether a Return can be given showing the number of trees cut from 1st September, 1926, to the present time and the value received from their sale
§ Sir LEOLIN FORESTIER-WALKER (Forestry Commissioner)The Commissioners propose to appoint the advisory committee forthwith. On the 5th March last they notified the New Forest Association that they proposed to appoint a committee to advise them as to the selection and special treatment of areas within the enclosures of the New Forest which are of outstanding picturesque interest. They asked the association in consultation with the verderers jointly to submit the names of persons representative of local interest from whom appointments to the committee would be made. The names were received on the 17th inst. Since the 1st September, 1926, 16,856 trees have been felled, of which roughly 75 per cent. by volume have already been sold for £6,130. This includes both hardwoods of very varying quality and softwoods. As regards ornamental timber in Burley Old Inclosure, to the cutting of which exception has been taken, the number of trees felled is 29, of which 15 were dead or in various stages of decay. A 1638 census of the trees over 120 years of age in this inclosure has now been made, with the following results: dead and dying 321, healthy 1,423, total 1,744.
§ Sir J. POWERCan my hon. Friend give us the names of the advisory committee which has been appointed?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERWe have not appointed them yet; we are to appoint them to-morrow.