§ 6. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres were planted by private forestry interests in 1966 and in the current forest year.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonIn 1966 private woodland owners planted 30,837 acres with the aid of grants from the Forestry Commission. The Commission estimates that a further 1,200 acres were planted without grants.
I regret that figures for planting to date in the current year are not yet available.
§ Mr. BrewisWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the considerable drop in timber prices? Will he seek to keep up the confidence of the private woodland owners by perhaps reviewing the grant structure?
§ Dr. MabonI will certainly bear it in mind, but I understand that there is no sign of falling off in private planting as a consequence of economic change in the industry. Better times may be round the corner.
§ Sir J. GilmourWill the hon. Gentleman consider active steps to assist the disposal of thinnings? If woodland thinnings are not disposed of, it will discourage people from planting.
§ Dr. MabonI understand that the Forestry Commission has been discussing this question with the industry energetically in the last few weeks.