HC Deb 18 April 1967 vol 745 cc431-3

Lords Amendment: No. 7, in page 49, line 41, at end insert: () The overall programme referred to in the preceding subsection is one having regard, among other things, to the special economic considerations and the long-term nature of forestry.

Mr. Hoy

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

The Government felt that the Amendment was unnecessary, but we have no objection to stating in the Bill the principle embodied in it if that will reassure private foresters about our intentions. The programme for guidance on land use needed in certain areas will have to take into account the economic problems of forestry as well as a number of other things.

Earl of Dalkeith (Edinburgh, North)

I do not think that I was unduly sensitive or alone when I got the impression when the Bill was last with us that there was an anti-forestry flavour about it, particularly an anti-private forestry flavour. However, the Bill has emerged from another place as a much better Measure, and that is interesting in contrast to the rather frosty reception which some of my suggestions received in the early hours of the January morning.

As our stubbles grew longer, our tempers became more prickly and we made little progress. Thanks to the excellent work of the noble Lord, Lord Dundee, which was only matched by the commendable though not surprising good sense of the noble Lord, Lord Hughes, in meeting so many of the essential points of forestry, we now have a far better Bill.

At a time when there is a growing awareness of the wise use of land, it is very necessary that the Government should show that they recognise the importance of forestry and are not lagging behind public opinion in the countryside in according to forestry the proper place which it should have in a Bill of this kind.

The fact that so much effort was required to extract the sort of assurance we have in this Amendment, which results in the Government giving more appropriate recognition to forestry, reveals the great misfortune which arises as a result of agriculture and forestry being looked after by separate Departments for so long. I hope very much that thanks to the abolition of the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources we shall now see a new era of closer co-operation between the various Departments responsible and not only that the same Ministers will be looking after the both subjects, but that they will see to it that officials inside the Departments will not keep themselves in separate watertight compartments but get together as much as possible and discuss the integration of forestry which will arise from this Amendment.

I hope that the Government will not only pledge their word, as they have in this Amendment, but will show that they mean business in the way in which they implement the Bill so far as it concerns forestry.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendment: No. 8, in page 49, line 44, at end insert: and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, their flora and fauna and physiographical features, and any buildings of special interest".

Mr. Hoy

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

This Amendment will make clear beyond doubt that the amenities to which consideration is to be given by a Board include the flora, fauna and physiographical features as well as buildings of special interest. The form of words used is designed to ensure that the wider interpretation of the words "scientific and historic interest" is not prejudiced by the mention of these specific examples.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendment: No. 9, in page 50, line 33, leave out from "to" to the end of line 37 and to insert: Wales, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales acting jointly".

Mr. Hoy

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

Mr. Speaker

Perhaps with this Amendment we could take Amendments Nos. 10, 13, 25 and 26.

Mr. Hoy

That will certainly be agreeable to this side of the House, and I believe, to hon. Members opposite.

As from 16th February this year the functions of the Minister of Land and Natural Resources so far as they related to forestry matters in England have been transferred to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This Amendment and those proposed to Clauses 45, 50, and 51 and 53 are necessary to delete the reference to the function of the Minister of Land and Natural Resources in respect of the appointment and duties of rural development boards.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendment agreed to.