HC Deb 29 July 1946 vol 426 cc513-4
50. Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Agriculture what research or experiments are now being carried out in connection with the problem of planting trees on industrial waste land such as that surrounding disused coal, iron, stone and other workings.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. Collick)

Although the Forestry Commission has no land of this type in its ownership and does not carry out research or experiments into the problem of planting trees on industrial waste land, it has assisted private owners with technical advice on the problems that arise, and I understand that considerable planting, largely of an experimental nature, has been carried out by the owners concerned in recent years.

Mr. Vane

Does that answer mean that the Forestry Commission are not contemplating planting in rather grim districts, such as parts of County Durham, on lands which are no good for agriculture but might yield a good crop of timber?

Mr. Collick

I do not think that is the special province of the Forestry Commission under the powers in the Act of 1919. The answer I have given to the hon. Gentleman indicates that they have been of some assistance.

Colonel Clarke

Have the Ministry's advisers conducted any research into the natural regeneration of vegetation on screes and landslips where a good many useful lessons are to be learned from land such as that we are now talking about?

Mr. Collick

The question raises a rather different point, so perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let us see it on the Paper.