§ 2. Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many new trees are being planted by his Department alongside the M3 motorway between Lightwater and Sunbury.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Keith Speed)None at the moment, Sir. Detailed planting plans will not be prepared until the major earthworks are nearing completion.
§ Mr. GryllsI thank my hon. Friend for that reply but will he bear in mind the urgent need to restore to their former natural beauty places that have been ravished by motorway works, albeit essential, such as in Chobham and Windlesham in my constituency? Perhaps an increase in the tree and shrub planting programme would help in restoring these areas to their proper state.
§ Mr. SpeedWe take this problem very seriously and I can give my hon. Friend the assurance he seeks. He may be interested to know that my Department is currently planting over a million trees and shrubs each year on motorways and trunk roads.