§ 62. Mr. WELLOCKasked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the latest estimate of the Commissioners of the total acreage of land in Great Britain suitable for afforestation; and how it is distributed in the various regions of the country?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERIt was stated in the Final Report of the Acland Committee (Cmd. 8881) that when a survey of the whole of the United Kingdom has been completed, it may be found that the total area of afforestable land is between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 acres. With the limited staff and funds at their disposal the Commissioners have not felt justified in surveying land far in advance of their immediate requirements; an accurate estimate of the total afforestable area in Great Britain cannot therefore be given.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESCannot the hon. Gentleman increase the limited number of people available for this work by employing on this job a few thousand skilled miners who are also skilled in afforestry work and land work?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERWe have a definite scheme for which a definite sum of money was allowed us, and unless we have more money, we cannot increase our work.
§ Mr. JONESCannot you enlarge the definite sum of money and increase the definite number of men employed?
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the survey which has been officially undertaken, amounting to several thousands of acres, include also the land which is at present being used for sheep pasture?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERThe survey which is in course of preparation is a survey of the whole of Great Britain.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNCan the hon. Gentleman say whether that survey includes land suitable also for small holdings?
§ Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKERIt includes all land which is afforestable in the country.