§ 31. Sir THOMAS INSKIPasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can state how many acres in the Scottish hills, the Welsh hills and the Yorkshire moors, respectively, it has been definitely arranged to plant with Sitka spruce in the next 12 months; when it is proposed to begin the necessary work of preparing the ground; what is the maximum number of men who will be employed at any one time in connection with the planting of Sitka spruce in the localities 788 named during the next six months; and, in general, how many acres it is hoped to get planted and how many men employed in the next six months?
§ Mr. ALPASS (Forestry Commissioner)I have been asked to reply. The Forestry Commissioners' planting programme for the next 12 months is 28,000 acres. Sitka spruce will be planted on peat lands for which it has been found to be the most suitable species. In the localities specified the acreage which will be planted with this species is as follows: Scottish hills 4,200 acres, Welsh hills 1,450, and Yorkshire moors 300. Preparation of the ground will begin in May. The maximum number of persons who will be employed at any one time in connection with the planting of Sitka spruce in the localities named during the next six months is 800. No actual planting will be done in the next six months, as spring and summer are unsuitable seasons for tree planting. It is anticipated that the average number of persons that will be employed by the Commissioners in the next six months will not be less than 3,500.
§ Sir T. INSKIPWill the hon. Member say whether the number of acres it is hoped to plant with Sitka spruce will be planted within the next 12 months?
§ Mr. ALPASSYes, I should assume so, and, if I may suggest it to the hon. and learned Member, perhaps, seeing that be is so interested in this question, he might use his good offices with some of his landowning friends and get them to withdraw their opposition.