HC Deb 14 March 1949 vol 462 cc1735-6
64. Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give instructions to the Forestry Commission to insure that the planting up of waste land and replanting of felled woodlands is given higher priority than the acquisition for planting of hill farms in respect of which hill sheep and cattle subsidy has been paid and which are capable of improvement for agriculture.

Mr. G. Brown

The Forestry Commission is already acting in this way.

Mr. Vane

Will the hon. Member bear in mind that hill farms are still being acquired for this purpose, which is causing very great resentment in the hill-farming counties?

Mr. Brown

There will have to be some land which is hill-farming land or marginal land brought in for forestry work.

Mr. Vane

My Question does not refer to "some" land but to whole farms.

Mr. Brown

Some part of the land acquired by the Forestry Commission inevitably will be of that type, but the discussions to which the hon. Member refers in a later Question are to ensure that we do not have too much of it.

Mr. Emrys Roberts

Will not the Forestry Commission consult the county agricultural executive committees in all cases?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member had better await the next Question.

65. Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that no whole farms will be acquired by the Forestry Commission for planting until the proposed acquisition has been referred for investigation to a joint committee of representatives of the appropriate county agricultural executive committee and Forestry Commission regional advisory committee.

Mr. G. Brown

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that there is already sufficient consultation to ensure that land is not used for forestry if it is more suitable for agriculture.

Mr. Vane

Is the hon. Member aware that there is no liaison between the Forestry Commission and the county agricultural executive committees, and does he not think that this is a good opportunity to initiate such useful liaison?

Mr. Brown

The position is that no land is taken until the Minister is satisfied that it cannot be better used for agricultural purposes. There is, in fact, consultation at every level, and if there is any disagreement the ultimate decision rests with my right hon. Friend.