§ 12. Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to continue with initiatives encouraging tree planting in the Principality. [289]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansWe shall continue to encourage tree planting in Wales and we aim to increase the woodland area by about 50 per cent. by the middle of the next century, subject to the necessary changes to the common agricultural policy.
§ Sir Sydney ChapmanI warmly welcome the woodlands initiative, which presumably reflects the community forest projects in England. Recognising that the annual National Tree Week occurs at the end of this month, will my hon. Friend take this opportunity to encourage local authorities, individuals and organisations to play their part in tree-planting schemes, and draw to their attention the expertise that exists in local authorities for advising on the right species of tree to be planted at the right time in the right place?
§ Mr. EvansFirst, I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for all his work in this area. He is an acknowledged expert 906 and takes a greater interest in the matter than hon. Members on the Opposition Benches. I have asked the chief conservator of the forestry authority in Wales to chair a small group to consider how best to implement the recommendations which, as my hon. Friend knows, were contained in a report commissioned by the Welsh Office two years ago—"The Way Ahead for Welsh Forestry". The chief conservator is to report to me before the end of the year with his suggestions for changes and more details of the opportunities for the development of forestry in Wales.