HC Deb 11 May 1950 vol 475 cc573-4
50. Mr. John Morrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total cost of roads made by the Forestry Commission since 1st January, 1946; and how much per mile this represents.

Mr. T. Williams

£2,100,000, representing approximately £3,500 a mile.

Mr. Morrison

As they are used only very occasionally for the extraction of timber, will the right hon. Gentleman consider reducing the cost of these very high priced roads?

Mr. Williams

I can assure the hon. Member that roads being made from now on will be made by highly mechanised gangs and that the cost of road making will be appreciably reduced.

Mr. John Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Select Committee on Estimates has reported that The extent of the burden of road expenditure depends on the degree of isolation of the State Forest, the nature of soil and subsoil, and whether the roads already exist, or are also required for purposes other than forestry"?

Mr. Williams

That is quite true.

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