§ 59. Colonel Sir JOHN SHUTEasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the recent agreement with the representatives of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England in regard to afforestation in the Lake District, the Forestry Commissioners now hold themselves to be excluded from planting in the actual valleys of the Duddon and Esk, or whether the Commissioners consider that they cannot, without prejudicing the task set them by Government, refrain from planting land that becomes available in the section of which those valleys form part?
§ Colonel ROPNER(for the Forestry Commissioners): The answer to the first part is in the negative. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. DALTONMay we have an assurance that any difficulties that may arise with regard to planting in this area will be made good by the commission in the neighbouring areas of South-West Durham and Cumberland, where there is a good deal of distress, and which are very suitable areas for afforestation?
§ Sir J. SHUTEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that one of the signatories of the report, Professor G. M. Trevelyan, in a letter to the "Times" showed that when he signed the report he understood that it would exclude planting altogether from the actual valleys of the Duddon and Esk?
§ Colonel ROPNERI have not seen the letter to which my hon. and gallant Friend draws my attention. There are 440 acres of Forestry Commission plantable land in Upper Eskdale, which it has been agreed shall be omitted from planting schemes. I think that if my hon. and gallant Friend will read the report of the Joint Informal Committee of the Forestry Commission and the Council for the Preservation of Rural England he will be fully informed of the exact terms of the agreement.
§ Mr. DALTONMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Colonel ROPNERI cannot give an assurance that afforestation which is not carried out in the Lake District will be carried out in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, but I can assure him that the Forestry Commissioners will carry out all the work that is possible in his Division.
§ Sir FRANCIS ACLANDIs it not really desirable, having due regard to the amenities, for the Forestry Commissioners to carry out as much work on the Cumberland side and on the Durham side as is reasonably possible?
§ Colonel ROPNERMy right hon. Friend is aware that a friendly agreement has been come to in regard to this rather difficult area, and the Forestry Commission are certainly carrying out the terms of that agreement.