HC Deb 20 February 1968 vol 759 cc222-3
20. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give details of the guidance he is giving local authorities in order to safeguard traditional amenity woodland.

Mr. Skeffington

Amenity woodlands are the subject of a series of conferences which this Department is organising in areas known for the quality of their deciduous woods. These bring together the local authorities, statutory bodies, woodland owners and farming, forestry and amenity interests, to discuss what can be done to safeguard the woodlands. Local authorities have power to make tree preservation orders; and to buy specially important woodlands.

Mr. Moyle

At the risk of drawing attention to the inconsistencies of hon. Gentlemen opposite who voted for the Civic Amenities Act under which my right hon. Friend's powers are exercised, can my hon. Friend say whether there is sufficient staff in local authorities to administer this part of the Act?

Mr. Skeffington

There are difficulties in some areas, but it would be fair to say that, taking the country as a whole, this is not a feature which is preventing the sort of development that we want to see.