§ Major Carverasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can make any detailed statements as to the progress of the utilisation of suitable standing timber in this country; how much of such timber is taken, respectively, from England, Scotland, and Wales, and how much from State and private forests, respectively?
§ Sir G. CourthopeLicences to fell 67,000,000 cubic feet of standing timber from private estates in Great Britain have been granted to the trade, of which 42,000,000 are in England and Wales and 25,000,000 in Scotland. In addition 9,000,000 cubic feet have been acquired in England and Wales from private estates and 4,000,000 cubic feet in Scotland. Some 48,000,000 cubic feet have been ear-marked for felling in the State forests. The work of felling and conversion is proceeding vigorously both by the trade and the Forestry Commission.
§ Major Carverasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether he can give any details as to the number of Dominion lumbermen who are over in this country dealing with the preparation of timber for the home market and how their operations are progressing?
§ Sir G. CourthopeNewfoundlanders to the number of 1,964 are here for the purpose of cutting pitprops and mining 617W timber. They are being put to work in Scotland, where large stands of suitable timber are available, and arrangements are being made to employ a small party in England on the same type of work.
Mr. David Adamsasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the shortage of timber supplies, British forests are now being heavily drawn upon; and whether the Commission is pursuing a policy of replanting with quick-growing timber?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThe answer to both parts of the Question is in the affirmative.