§ 1. Mr. Sydney Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Wales what rôle he is planning for the Principality with regard to the designation of 1973 as a national tree planting year.
§ The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. David Gibson-Watt)The designation of 1973 as a national tree planting year will apply to Wales as it does to England.
§ Mr. ChapmanI am most grateful for that reply. May I ask my hon. Friend to confirm that the purpose of this national tree planting year will be to plant not still more coniferous trees in rural areas but deciduous trees in urban and industrial areas to show people the dramatic contribution which they can make to their environment in the towns and cities?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThis is generally so, though I would not go all the way with my hon. Friend about this because some coniferous trees are beautiful. The larch is one of the most beautiful trees in the world.
§ Mr. EllisWill the Minister seek to influence the Forestry Commission to plant more Welsh native indigenous trees to alleviate the blight by the coniferous monopoly in parts of the Welsh landscape?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI think the recent performance of the Forestry Commission in this respect has been extremely good. It has planted a large number of broad-leafed trees, and of course it has its landscape architect, Miss Sylvia Crowe.