Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture what acreage of derelict woodlands have been re-afforested since 1945 to date; and what are the plans for the next five years in each of the Welsh counties.
Mr. T. WilliamsEight thousand, eight hundred acres of derelict woodlands in Wales have been re-afforested since 1945 (6,400 acres by the Forestry Commission and 2,400 acres by private owners). In162W addition, 9,820 acres have been acquired by the Commission for replanting. According to the census of woodlands recently completed there were, at 30th September, 1947, some 70,000 acres of scrub, devastated and felled woodlands in Wales and Monmouth which are suitable for economic management, distributed as follows:
County Acres Anglesey … … … … 230 Brecon … … … … 8,241 Cardigan … … … … 3,300 Caernarvon … … … … 3,430 Carmarthen … … … … 6,869 Denbigh … … … … 7,347 Flint … … … … 2,239 Glamorgan … … … … 8,334 Merioneth … … … … 6,312 Monmouth … … … … 8,469 Montgomery … … … … 8,907 Pembroke … … … … 2,376 Radnor … … … … 4,243 70,297 The Forestry Commissioners' policy in all counties is to encourage private owners to replant these areas under the Dedication Scheme, or with the aid of grants, during the next five years. Where this is not possible acquisition and replanting by the Commission is proposed.