§ 4.8 p.m.
§ THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH AND QUEENSBERRYMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Mansfield, I beg to put the first question that stands in his name. If I may say so, I trust that the Government will bear in mind the importance of an early announcement, and also that only a few of the main principles concerning private forestry have been agreed with the Forestry Commission, and these are dependent upon other important details which have to be filled in.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering the Joint Report of the Royal Scottish and Royal English Forestry Societies as well as the proposals of the Forestry Commission; whether they are aware that the long delay in making public their decisions on future forestry policy and administration is preventing woodland owners from preparing their plans for replanting their felled areas; and whether they will therefore make known these decisions at an early date.]
321§ LORD BINGLEYMy Lords, before the noble Earl replies I should like to add a few sentences on behalf of England, because this is not a question which applies only to Scotland. The need for a decision by the Government and for an announcement of their policy about forestry is very urgent in England also. There are very many wide areas which have been felled under requisition and which can never be got going again without considerable Government assistance. The suggested plan of the Forestry Commission for the protection of these woodlands by those willing to maintain thorn would solve the difficulty, and the sooner that that declaration can be made the sooner will it be possible to get on with making plans.
§ LORD DERWENT rose.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY or STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, I think that we had better observe the usual procedure with starred questions. I have been asked to answer the noble Earl's question, which has been put on his behalf by the noble Duke. The Government have already made clear their intention that in framing their proposals on the Forestry Commission's Report they will be guided by the advice of Parliament and by representations from outside bodies.
I can assure your Lordships that the Government have before them the Joint Report of the two Royal Forestry Societies, and have it under consideration along with the proposals of the Forestry Commission. I recognize that if a landowner knew precisely what terms of assistance the Government's proposals may contain for private forestry, he would he so much the better placed for making plans and preparations at once. The Government think it better, however, that forestry policy should be formulated as a whole, and they must, therefore, ask for the exercise of a further measure of patience. In the meantime, the Government have made it clear that they desire a great expansion of forestry activities after the war. They have instructed the Forestry Commission to take such preparatory steps as are open to them, pending further decisions, and they trust that private owners will feel encouraged to do the same.
LORD DERWENTMy Lords, I should like to seize the opportunity afforded by the noble Earl's question, which the procedure of your Lordship' House enables me to do, to ask His Majesty's Government the following questions: First, will His Majesty's Government state now or in the near future that they will do their best to ensure that, save in the case of extreme financial necessity, they will not allow the Forestry Commission's grant in aid to sink below the average figure of the 1929–1939 decade? Secondly, will His Majesty's Government consider bringing the Forestry Commission's aims and the work it has hitherto accomplished to the notice of the general public by an increased number of popular publications to be issued at reasonable prices and preferably illustrated in order to make the public more forestry minded?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, in reply to the noble Lord's two questions, of which he gave me previous notice, I have to say that the post-war forestry policy of the Government, including the financial aspect, is under consideration, and I am sure the noble Lord will not expect a statement at this moment. In reply to his second question the Government will do everything they can to stimulate interest in forestry among the general public.
THE EARL OF RADNORMy Lords, in regard to the word "patience" in the noble Earl's answer, can he say what period of time is indicated by that word?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELI am afraid I am not able to do so, but I will certainly direct the attention of the appropriate Department to the noble Earl's question.