§ 12. Mr. Waltersasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what efforts have been made by his Department to seek new outlets for elm timber in face of the glut caused by Dutch elm disease.
§ Mr. StrangThe Forestry Commission, with the full co-operation of the home and importing timber trades, has set up an Elm Marketing Group, charged with seeking out and promoting markets for elm timber. The Forestry Commission itself has been active in promoting wider use of elm timber.
§ Mr. WaltersIs the Minister satisfied that he is taking enough action in this respect, particularly in encouraging other Departments to use timber from elm trees 609 in the home industries, particularly in the construction of motorways? On the subject of the preservation of the countryside, is he satisfied that trees are being replaced rapidly enough?
§ Mr. StrangA tremendous level of activity is taking place in this respect and the Forestry Commission has been particularly active. If I may single out one organisation which has increased its consumption of elm, it is the National Coal Board. We do our utmost to encourage replanting and the Department of the Environment does all it can to encourage tree planting.
§ Mr. CrouchCan the Minister say how many elm trees have been felled as a result of the disease and how many are likely to be lost as the disease increases?
§ Mr. StrangI should like notice of the question about the number of trees felled to date but, whatever the number felled, an even greater number still standing are diseased. This is a serious problem.