HC Deb 03 July 1956 vol 555 cc1151-2
43. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now use his compulsory powers to ensure that a greater area of felled and derelict woodland is used for afforestation.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Although my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider the use of compulsory purchase powers in any individual case where the national interest would justify it, it is not the view of Her Majesty's Government that the best way of increasing the area of land available for afforestation lies in a general policy of compulsion.

Mr. Hannan

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent Answer I was informed that there are 340,000 acres of such land in Scotland under the jurisdiction of 3,000 owners? Is it not the Minister's plain duty to the future welfare of Scotland to see that where owners refuse either to develop the land themselves or to allow others to do it he should act and take over the land for the Forestry Commission?

Mr. Macpherson

Over half of that acreage of land has already either been acquired by the Commission or is covered by management plans already arranged. As to the rest of the land while my right hon. Friend replied to the hon. Member that it would be suitable for forestry, it does not follow that it is not suitable for anything else, and it is being used for other purposes in many cases.

Mr. Woodburn

The hon. Gentleman has spoken only of the part that is covered. He has not said what is to happen to the other part. Is it not the case that a great deal of this land has been lying derelict for 10 to 12 years, an eyesore to the general public and desperately needing to be replanted, while land is taken which the Department itself admits is suitable for agriculture? Is the hon. Gentleman not prepared to see that the Forestry Commission does not, for economic reasons, take land which is suitable for agriculture, and does not take up the more onerous job of planting all this felled land?

Mr. Macpherson

Some of this land is suitable for other uses and, as I have said, is being put to other uses. The rest of the land is under continuous examination and review by the acquisition officers of the Forestry Commission.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

Is it not true to say that of the remaining part a very large area of woodland was blown down by the gale three years ago, and that the owners cannot yet replant because there has not been time for the vermin to die down and for fencing to be carried out?

Mr. Macpherson

That is true. A certain time has to elapse.