HC Deb 02 February 1959 vol 599 cc4-5
8. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether maintenance grants will be paid to private woodlands in respect of the whole area dedicated or only part of it.

Mr. John Hare

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring to the new management grant which, subject to the formation of an effective woodland owners' association, will become payable to owners of dedicated woodlands instead of the present maintenance grant. This grant will be paid on the whole area of effective woodland plus any bare land which it is realistically proposed to plant during the period of the current plan.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

Does this mean that areas which are not in the ten-year plans will all receive payments?

Mr. Hare

Perhaps my hon. Friend will study carefully what I have said. I referred to any bare land which it is realistically proposed to plant during the period of the current plan. It would depend on the period of the current plan.

Mr. Champion

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what progress has been made towards founding woodlands associations?

Mr. Hare

There has been very satisfactory progress. I have every hope that the associations will be functioning before very long.