HC Deb 21 March 1939 vol 345 cc1135-6W
Mr. Sexton

asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he will state the number of acres planted under the Special Areas scheme; the number of unemployed set to work; the sum of money paid to owners of land purchased; the amount paid in wages to unemployed set to work; and the cost of foresters' cottages built and occupied for each of the Special Areas, respectively?

Sir G. Courthope

Under the Forestry Commission's scheme, which applies to the areas in and within 15 miles of the Special Areas, 5,489 acres have been planted, unemployed set to work have had 24,996 man-weeks employment, £237,000 has been paid to owners of land purchased, £47,668 has been paid in wages to unemployed set to work and the cost of foresters' cottages built and occupied was £1,005 for two in South Wales, while the cost of cottages for tenants of forest workers' holdings built and occupied was £12,632 for 28 in South Wales and £22,224 for 45 in Northern England. The cost of additional houses not yet occupied or now in course of erection will be £9.749 for 18 in South Wales and £18,936 for 35 in Northern England where the extension of 15 miles causes the boundaries to overlap and separate figures for each Special Area are consequently not readily available.