§ 46. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of so amending the regulations under which the Forestry Commissioners work as to require them to have regard to the amenities of a district when planting, and to give consideration to the advice of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England or such other body or bodies as appear generally representative of such interests?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member is evidently under a misapprehension. Apart from the relevant Acts of Parliament there are no regulations affecting the work of the Forestry Commission. The Acts do not prevent the Commission from having regard to amenities, and the Commissioners can, and do, have regard to amenities in carrying out their operations, as was stated by my predecessor on 11th February, 1936, in reply to a similar question. The Joint Committee of the Council for the Preservation of Rural England and the Forestry Commissioners then mentioned is regularly consulted and I believe is working satisfactorily. I see no necessity to introduce amending legislation.
§ Mr. ManderWhile appreciating the fact that the Forestry Commissioners do consult with the amenity authorities, does not the Prime Minister think it might be better if they did so under authority, and not purely as an act of grace, as at present?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think so.