§ 14. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of land are now in the charge of his Department; how many are retained for research; and how many he intends to transfer to the Forestry Commission.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsOn 1st December, about126,000 acres were in my right hon. Friend's charge. Of this, 13,400 acres are being retained for experimental and research purposes and 17,200 acres are being retained for other departmental purposes. Fifty thousand acres are in the process of being sold. This leaves 45,000 acres, of which over 5,000 are earmarked for transfer now or later to the Forestry Commission. The remainder will be sold or transferred to the Forestry Commission as opportunity offers.
§ Mr. DigbyIs my hon. Friend aware that judging by the answer which his right hon. Friend gave last March, when there were 74,000 acres due to be sold, these sales are going rather slowly? Could they not be expedited?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThat is not quite true. In 1962–63, 13,600 acres were sold, and in the current year I expect that about 50,000 acres will be disposed of.
§ Mr. SnowIs the Minister satisfied that the product of the Forestry Commission remains an economic proposition these days, bearing in mind the technological improvements in respect of mechanical props which are being made in the coal-mining industry?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsYes, I think so, especially in view of the fact that we are importing a large amount of timber at the moment.
§ Mr. PeartOut of 126,000 acres, how much was held—both in Wales and in England—by the Land Commission, which the Government wound up?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsI could not give an answer to that question without prior 831 notice. If the hon. Member will put down a Question on the matter, I shall try to answer it.