§ Mr. MUNRO-FERGUSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury the amount of Grants actually made and promised, respectively, from the appointment of the Development Commission up to the, present date on behalf of forestry, including education, in England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland respectively?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe advances from the Development Fund sanctioned for forestry purposes are: England and Wales, £18,435; Scotland, £11,150; Ireland, £28,050. The actual amounts issued from the fund to date are £1,800, £198, and £5,365, respectively. It is impossible to state the precise amount of the 2231W advances indicated as probable, because they are frequently conditional on the satisfactory preparation of detailed estimates and schemes which are not yet available; but I am informed that the Commissioners have provisionally given it to be understood that they would, if necessary, support schemes for the provision of a certain number of experimental and demonstration forests in England and Wales, and would supply funds for the afforestation of about 15,000 acres in Ireland. As regards Scotland, the Commissioners have agreed to consider the provision of a demonstration area. The Commissioners have also sanctioned certain Grants for education, research, advisory work, minor forestry experiments, and administrative expenses in England and Wales, which are estimated to cost hereafter about £5,700 a year. They are now considering proposals from Scotland for similar purposes. They are also in negotiation with certain municipal authorities for the afforestation of water catchment areas under their control.