HC Deb 20 March 1975 vol 888 cc1832-4
5. Mr. Cormack

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the acreage of land planted with trees in the winter of 1974–75 compares with recent previous years; and whether he is satisfied with this level of planting.

48. Mr. Corrie

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what acreage of land was planted with trees in the winter of 1974–75; and how this compares with the winter of 1973–74.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Gavin Strang)

In the year ended 31st March 1974 about 112,122 acres were planted by the Forestry Commission and the private sector. The comparable total in the previous year was 117,928 acres. No comparable statistics are available for the present year as the planting season is not yet over.

Mr. Cormack

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that that is a disturbing figure? Does he accept that it has been brought about largely because of the insensitive and unthinking policy of his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer? Will he urge his hon. Friend to take time off from watching the pigs across the border and look into the question of trees, to ensure that proper confidence is returned to the British forestry industry?

Mr. Strang

I presume that the figure which the hon. Gentleman describes as unsatisfactory must be the one for the year ended 31st March 1974. That was some considerable time prior to my right hon. Friend's announcement of his intentions regarding the capital transfer tax. Apparently the hon. Gentleman wants forestry planting to be increased. I must point out to him that there was a sharp decline in the level of planting by the Forestry Commission during his Government's tenure of office.

Mr. Wiggin

Does the Minister accept that there has been a complete lack of confidence in the forestry industry as a result of the introduction of the capital transfer tax? Does he accept that in the forestry and agriculture industries one of the most serious aspects has been the right hon. Gentleman's total lack of interest in the plight of farmers and foresters as a result of the imposition of capital transfer tax?

Mr. Strang

I utterly reject that suggestion. The hon. Gentleman must distinguish between the real interests of the forestry industry and the desire of his hon. Friends and himself to maintain forestry as a tax avoidance haven for wealthy landowners and investors.

Mr. Hastings

Will the Minister ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to tell the House how long he thinks it takes for a tree to grow and how often he thinks he can tax it on the way up?

Mr. Strang

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman should be so ignorant of the important concession that my right hon. Friend has given to private forestry. In fact, under his concession the trees will not be taxed along with land in the way that the normal capital transfer tax operates. They will be taxed only when they are felled.

Mr. Cormack

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment in view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the reply.