§ 1. Mr. Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that tree seedlings and transplants for large-scale planting are in short supply and whether, in order to encourage owners of private woodlands to dedicate their land under the Forestry Commissioners' Dedication Scheme and to afford the maximum assistance to those who have already done so, he will arrange for plants which are surplus to the requirements of the Forestry Commissioners to be offered, as a first priority, to owners who have dedicated their woodlands.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)I am aware of the general shortage of seedlings and transplants for large-scale planting. The Forestry Commissioners recently met representatives of private woodland owners and of the nursery trade and agreed to release to the trade from eight to 10 million plants from Commission stocks. Maximum retail prices were agreed between the owners and the trade and have been published. The Commissioners do not sell plants surplus to requirements other than through the trade. If owners of dedicated land experience difficulty in obtaining plants within this arrangement they should get into touch with the Forestry Commission whose Scottish office is at 25, Drumsheugh Gardens.
§ 3. Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are 760 employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland; and what is the total annual cost and the total annual revenue.
§ Mr. WestwoodAt 30th September, 1946, the number of people employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland was 2,933. In the year ended 30th September, 1946, payments covering all the Commission's activities in Scotland amounted to a total of £750,000 and receipts to £160,000.