Squadron-Leader E. Robertsasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total amount of land held by the Forestry Commission in the county of Merioneth; what percentage of agricultural land this represents; and whether the Forestry Commission proposes, in the near future, to acquire further land.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe Forestry Commission at present hold 26,700 acres of land in the county of Merioneth. Five per cent, of this represents agricultural land, excluding rough grazings, and a further 4 per cent, land in forest workers' holdings. If, as seems likely, there is further land in the county suitable for afforestation, I should propose to acquire it as and when opportunity occurs if I consider it in the national interest to do so.