§ 2.45 p.m.
§ Baroness NicolMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government following the storm of 16th October 1987—
- (1) what importance they attach to ancient woodlands;
- (2) what protection is given currently to the remaining trees and, in particular, ancient woodlands outside SSSIs; and
- (3) whether they will prepare further guidelines or legislation to protect the remaining trees and ancient woodlands.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the storm of 16th October 1987 damaged a number of pre-1600 woodlands. For the future, we believe satisfactory protection against damage by man is provided, not only through designation where appropriate as sites of special scientific interest or national nature reserves, but also by the Forestry Commission's felling controls and planting grants, with its associated consultation procedures, and by tree preservation orders. In administering these arrangements, full use is made of an inventory of ancient woodlands being compiled by the Nature 405 Conservancy Council and this will be completed next year.
§ Baroness NicolMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that very comprehensive Answer to my rather long Question. Is he aware of the extra costs involved in clearing ancient woodlands?— for example, a pollarded beech can cost four times as much as a normal tree to remove. Therefore, can he say whether his inter-departmental committee on storm damage which is at the moment sitting will be able to make recommendations specifically about ancient woodlands? Is the committee considering them?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, as the noble Baroness rightly said, the committee is at present sitting and therefore it would be wrong for me to prejudge what it will say. However, I shall draw the committee's attention to her comments.
§ Baroness WhiteMy Lords, does the noble Earl agree that the problem of clearing trees is as important as planting? While grants for planting trees in the immediate future seem to be reasonably generous, as I understood the answer given by the noble Earl in a recent debate, the assistance which is absolutely essential for preliminary clearance is nothing like as satisfactory. Has further consideration been given to that?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, that is one of the aspects we are considering. However, our initial belief is that the general principle must be that clearance is the responsibility of the individual owner. As regards ancient woodlands, as the noble Baroness knows well there are many benefits to nature by not clearing them too quickly.
§ Baroness NicolMy Lords, I have one final brief question. Can the Minister say when the report is expected?