§ 48. Mr. Gerald Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Forestry Commission are taking to encourage timber merchants to do the felling, extraction and conversion of standing timber.
The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4th April to the hon. and gallant Member for Argyll (Major McCallum) by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. G. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that at present the merchants are under-employed, and, on the other hand, the Commission's staffs are finding it very difficult to cope with the planting, and will soon have difficulty with the thinning? Is he further aware that he will be well advised to carry out the advice of the Forestry Commission?
Mr. T. WilliamsI think it will be of some interest to the hon. Member to learn that 2,102 acres were dealt with by private afforestration fellers last year.