§ 20. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to prevent excessive felling of trees in Germany, having regard to the importance of maintaining Germany's forest areas; and what were the timber exports from the British zone for the latest month for which figures are available.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)Felling in the bizonal area is restricted to twice the annual growth. This is not considered excessive having regard to the present acute timber shortage, and to the fact that German forests did not suffer by over-cutting during the war like those of other countries. In a written reply on 25th June, 1947, my right hon. Friend gave the hon. Member certain assurances regarding forest regeneration in Germany. The quantity of timber exported from the British zone in May, 1948, was 66,074 metric tons.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, I think that is not so. I believe that the ordinary German practices are being followed.