§ 3.8 p.m.
§ EARL DE LA WARRMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Report of the Watson Departmental Committee on Marketing of Woodland Produce was received by the Government; when it will be published, and whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to discuss its proposals with representatives of owners of private woodlands.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL ST. ALDWYN)My Lords, the Report, which is dated May of this year, was sent to the Ministers jointly responsible for forestry matters in July last. I hope that it will be published early in December. I can assure the noble Earl that the recommendations of the Committee will be discussed with the representatives of private woodland owners. as well as with others concerned.
§ EARL DE LA WARRMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply, but I think he will agree with me that there has been considerable delay in publication of this Report. I do not know when it is to be published, but if there is to be further delay I should like to ask this further question: whether the noble Earl is prepared to take some steps to make possible the consideration of the contents of that Report by responsible interested bodies and also make possible discussions of an informal character, perhaps between those bodies and either the Forestry Commission or his own Department?
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, the delay in publishing is almost entirely due to printing difficulties. Frankly, the printers are still dealing with the backlog of work which accumulated during printers' strike, and they have also had considerable extra work to do owing to the recall of Parliament during the Recess. As regards consultation with bodies concerned before publication, I 1072 am sure the noble Lord will appreciate that the issue of confidential copies must be kept to as small a number as possible. but I can assure him that the Forestry Commission are fully prepared to discuss the Report confidentially with any of the bodies concerned where that is felt to be necessary.
§ EARL DE LA WARRMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl. That means, of course, that those bodies will have an opportunity, again confidentially. of seeing roneoed copies.
§ LORD SILKINLords, can we be assured that once this Report is published, Her Majesty's Government will announce their decision on the recommendations within a reasonable time. say within two or three years?
EARL ST. ALDWYNLords, the final decision will depend to a certain extent on the length of time which is taken in consultation with the various bodies. If their requirements are reasonably in line with ours, no doubt the result will be out shortly.
§ EARL JOWITTLords, there is no reason, is there, why this Report should not be published just because consultations are to be held? Why cannot we have the Report? If it is a matter of printing difficulties, the fact that confidential copies of the Report are being sent round would seem to indicate that we can have copies of the Report now. I cannot see why consultations — which obviously must take place—should delay publication.
EARL ST. ALDWYNLords, let me assure the noble Earl that consultations are in no way delaying publication. Publication is being delayed solely by printing difficulties. The confidential copies which will be in the hands of various bodies are roneoed copies and therefore not suitable for general distribution.