HC Deb 03 March 1988 vol 128 cc1150-1
11. Mr. Boyes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he is having with environmental organisations about tree planting.

Mr. Gummer

I have had a number of meetings recently with environmental organisations at which various aspects of forestry, including the proposed farm woodland scheme, were discussed.

Mr. Boyes

Will the Minister make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reform the tax incentive system which allows rich people, such as Lady Porter, the Tory leader of Westminster council, and the Law Lord Baron Ackner, and media personalities, such as Terry Wogan, to benefit from investment in large-scale, environmentally damaging coniferous afforestation? It is a downright scandal and should be stopped.

Mr. Gummer

Although tax matters are not for me or my right hon. Friend, many of the statements made by the hon. Gentleman in his question were tendentious rather than true.

Mr. John M. Taylor

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that an adequate amount of guidance is being given in the tree-planting schemes towards planting broadleaved woodland, which is the most naturally congenial environment for the wildlife in this country?

Mr. Gummer

I hope so. That is the intention. We have a different scale of support for broadleaved schemes and, as my hon. Friend will know, we have been particularly careful to help with broadleaved trees, such as the oak, which takes so much longer to mature. I hope, therefore, that by a judicious mixture—in many cases coniferous trees are a good part of such a scheme—we shall be able to enhance the environment, improve opportunities for wildlife and give farmers a further diversified crop.

Mr. Haynes

Is the Minister aware that we have an abundance of beautiful oak trees in the county of Nottinghamshire and that the chairman of Nottinghamshire county council, Miss Florence Price, is promoting those trees for transplantation to the rest of the country and the world? Will he have a word with her to see whether he can help Nottinghamshire county council in the wonderful efforts that it is making?

Mr. Gummer

I am proud that the county of Nottinghamshire does so much for the oak tree. I am sure that my right hon. Friend will see what he can do to help the county council, but it is my view that the changes that we have made in the woodland scheme from the original plans put forward will help people to plant oaks, which are more difficult and take longer to grow, which is exactly what the chairman of Nottinghamshire county council would like us to do.

Mr. Chapman

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is a fund of goodwill for tree planting and that the purpose and objective of his Department, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, should be to secure suitable sites for tree planting and to encourage voluntary contributions? To that end, does he agree that it is in the long-term national interest, economically as well as environmentally, to encourage much more deciduous tree planting on suitable lowland sites?

Mr. Gummer

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right, and his record in promoting tree planting is the envy of all of us. However, I hope that, in its own way, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is now beginning to help considerably and I trust that in a few years' time there will be a great deal more deciduous planting in Britain as a result of the Farm Land and Rural Development Bill which is now before Parliament.