HC Deb 11 March 1964 vol 691 cc68-9W
Mr. G. Roberts

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many workers are employed by the Forestry Commission in Wales and in the Lleyn Forest, respectively; how many of these, in both cases, are registered under the Disabled Persons Act; and what percentage of the whole, in both cases, the numbers of disabled represents.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The following table gives the information required:

Wales Lleyn Forest
Number of industrial workers employed by the Forestry Commission 2,693 40
Number of workers included above who are registered under the Disabled Persons Act 18 NIL
Workers registered under the Act as a percentage of total workers 0.67

Mr. G. Roberts

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food how many workers in the Lleyn Forest operated by the Forestry Commission were established from 1951 onwards; in which years they became established; how many of these were Grade II workers at the time of their establishment; and if he will give comparable figures for Wales as a whole.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The numbers of workers established since 1951 are as follows:

Wales Lleyn
1951 21
1952 43
1953 73
1954 126
1955 79
1956 10
1957 10
1958 46 1
1959 34
1960 43
1961 149 5
1962 18 1
1963 11
1964 6
669 7

96 of the workers established in Wales were Grade II at the time of their establishment; none of these were at Lleyn Forest.

Mr. G. Roberts

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the Forestry Commission consults representatives of forestry workers when applications for establishment are considered.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The basis for selection of forest workers for establishment has been agreed by the Industrial and Trade Council of the Forestry Commission. The Forestry Commission does not consult representatives of forest workers over individual cases.

Any eligible worker may appeal against the refusal of his claim for establishment either directly to the Commission or through his trade union.