§ 43. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many men are at present employed on afforestation schemes; and what is the maximum number it is proposed to employ during the present year?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)The number of persons now employed by the Forestry Commissioners—excluding 62 forest officers and 108 office staff—is 3,305; it is anticipated that the maximum number that will be employed this year will be approximately 4,000.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan my hon. Friend say whether, in view of the heavy unemployment, it is intended to extend the programme in the near future?
§ Mr. SMITHThe programme is being extended as rapidly as possible, but any big extension is not possible until we are able to raise the plants, which will take about three years.