§ 20. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the number of men who have been employed on afforestation work during 1932–33; the total number of trees planted, together with the cost, showing separate items for wages; the number of trees it is proposed to plant next fall, and the estimated cost; and the number of men to be employed?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPEThe number of persons employed by the Forestry Commissioners on afforestation work during the last 12 months has varied from 2,450 to 3,000. The number of trees planted was approximately 50,000,000, which includes replacement of failures in existing plantations. The gross expenditure on all forestry operations was approximately £385,000 of which £260,000 was in respect of wages. The net expenditure on forestry operations was approximately £255,000. For the next 12 months the planting programme, the estimated cost and the consequent employment will be much the same.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon. and gallant Member say the estimated number of failures there have been out of the 50,000,000 trees planted?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEUp to the present the number of failures has been very small indeed.