HC Deb 10 April 1968 vol 762 cc1355-7
20. Miss Harvie Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now ask the Forestry Commission to defer felling licences until the hurricane-blown timber has been partially disposed of.

Mr. Ross

The Forestry Commission has no power to defer felling licences for the purpose the hon. Member has in mind. An appeal has, however, been made for voluntary restraint in felling meanwhile, and the Forestry Commission is giving a lead in this direction in its own woodlands.

Miss Harvie Anderson

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that the voluntary restriction is not adequate and the matter is closely related to the question of a transport subsidy? Has that subsidy been discussed with W.A.G. and, if so, is

charges will be made in Forestry Commission caravan parks this summer.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

With permission I will publish a table of the charges in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Miss Harvie Anderson

Will the hon. Gentleman accept the need for keeping these charges as minimal as possible in view of the increasing number of people who can no longer afford any other kind of holiday?

Dr. Mabon

Yes. The increases are consistent with the prices and incomes policy. At Glentrool there is an increase. At Glenmore the method of charging is so changed as to be difficult to compare with the present system. At the other sites in Scotland there are no increases.

The following charges will be made for Forestry Commission caravan parks in Scotland this summer:

he satisfied that all classes of timber have been included?

Mr. Ross

I assure the hon. Lady that I have made an announcement about this, the Forestry Commission has earlier issued details concerning the transport subsidy, and we have had questions on it today. As to the question of this not being enough, I have no statutory powers under the present Statutes governing forestry in relation to the withholding of licences in respect of the marketing of timber.

Mr. Manuel

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it will be impracticable to defer felling licences? Is he further aware that the pulp mill at Fort William, for instance, uses only certain sizes of timber which could not be ingathered from wind-blown areas alone and felling licences would be necessary?

Mr. Ross

This is one of the problems facing people with contracts to fulfil, but where arrangements can be made we have asked them to make them.