HC Deb 10 April 1986 vol 95 c337
11. Mr. Yeo

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the total acreage planted for forestry in England and Wales has changed in the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Jopling

Between 1 April 1984 and 31 March 1985 the total area of new planting in England and Wales by the Forestry Commission and by private woodland owners with the aid of Commission grants was 2,222 hectares, compared with 3,216 hectares in the previous 12-month period.

Mr. Yeo

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be highly desirable for more land to be devoted to forestry and less to producing those crops which are already in surplus? Will he, therefore, consider introducing additional incentives to increase the amount of land devoted to forestry?

Mr. Jopling

I shall certainly consider that, but my hon. Friend should know that the Government's policy is to encourage the expansion of forestry in ways consistent with the needs of other rural interests. Substantial funding of private forestry takes place through the Forestry Commission's grant schemes, and there has been a significant rise in private planting levels over the past few years.