§ 63. Mr. EVERARDasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the amount and value of the damage sustained from fire by the holdings of the Forestry Commission during the last three years, respectively?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPEIn 1933 the Forestry Commissioners lost 1192 1,297 acres of plantations by fire, the damage amounting to £2,19,000. In 1934 — 741 acres, £11,000 damage. In 1935 — 259 acres, £4,300 damage. It may be of interest to report that already this year the desiccated state of ground vegetation following the recent prolonged frosts has led to the loss by fire of 1,160 acres, £12,000 damage.
§ Mr. EVERARDWhere have these fires taken place this year and what protective measures do the Commissioners take to prevent fires?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe most serious fire was in Glamorganshire, but there have been minor fires elsewhere. There are extensive fire protection plans and a lot of money is spent, but there is an economic limit to the expenditure that we can afford for the purpose.
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThey are not insured. Occasionally, when the source of a fire can be traced, a claim is made, but generally it is very difficult to trace the source of a fire.