§ 24. Mr. Adamsonasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, the total damage done by fire during the week-end on Cannock Chase to trees and land under the control of the Commissioners; and whether he can estimate the approximate period which will elapse before the planting of new trees can be commenced?
§ Colonel Sir George Courthope (Forestry Commissioner)At Cannock Chase 325 acres of Forestry Commission plantations were destroyed by fire on Sunday, the 20th instant. The land itself has not been damaged from the point of view of timber production. Replanting will be started next season in nine months' time.
§ Sir J. LambCan the right hon. and gallant Member say what was the cause of the fire?
§ Sir G. CourthopeTwo fires started on adjoining common land and reached substantial proportions before they reached the Commission's land, and our patrol was utterly unable to stop them.
§ Mr. ManderWhat steps are taken to prevent fires arising and spreading through plantations?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThere is a regular technique of fire patrol and fire precautions. We are spending about £40,000 a year on protection, including fire patrol, and our losses would be infinitely greater than they are but for this expenditure.
§ Mr. ManderCan the right hon. and gallant Member say how it was that it did not operate on this occasion?
§ Sir G. CourthopeIt failed to operate on this occasion because the precautions taken against fire on the adjoining common land are not so great as those taken by the Forestry Commission.
§ Sir J. LambWhat was the origin of the fire on the common land?
§ Sir G. CourthopeI am informed that crowds of people find their way on to the common land on Sundays, and very likely a single cigarette-end in each case may have been the cause.
§ 25. Brigadier-General Clifton Brownasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many acres of forest plantations have been destroyed by fires during the last six weeks; what has been the cause of these fires; and whether any steps are being taken to protect young plantations from picnickers and other ramblers starting such conflagrations?
§ Sir G. CourthopeSeven hundred and fifteen acres of Forestry Commission 1823 plantations have been destroyed by fires during the last six weeks. Seventy-nine fires were caused by railway engines, 41 by fires spreading from adjoining land, 46 by members of the public and 80 unknown or miscellaneous. There is a fire protection plan for each forest area, and steps are taken to protect young plantations from fire by general publicity and locally by means of warning notices, organised patrols, look-outs and fire fighters.
§ Sir G. CourthopeNo, Sir. These losses are on Forestry Commission land.
Brigadier-General BrownIs the right hon. and gallant Member aware that land owners do not get much encouragement to plant trees when people come and burn down their trees? Cannot he do more by way of administrative order or by publicity through the British Broadcasting Corporation to warn people of the danger of causing fires?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThat is done every week during the danger period.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HeneageAs these fires are more prevalent at week-ends, should not the fire patrol be busier during the week-end than in the rest of the week?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThat is already the case.