§ 45. Mr. John Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied with the total of 10,878 acres 1730 woods thinned by the Forestry Commission in the year 1945–46; and what fraction this represents of their total woods between the ages of 15 and 50.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)Yes, Sir. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the figure given on page 17 of the Twenty-seventh Annual Report of the Forestry Commissioners for the year ending 30th September, 1946. This area is approximately 5 per cent. of the total woods of the Forestry Commission between the ages of 15 and 50.
§ Mr. MorrisonDoes the right hon. Gentleman anticipate any improvement in these thinnings this year?
§ Mr. WilliamsYes. There was an increase last year of something like 3,500 acres, and that will continue to grow.