§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the estimated average cost per acre of a higher-grant attracting private forest is borne directly and indirectly by public funds; and if he will make an estimate of the relative value to the private owner of planting grants, establishment-maintenance grants, income tax allowances and special estate duty provisions.
§ Mr. RossI have no information about the proportions and relative values to which my hon. Friend refers, because statistics for income tax allowances and estate duty in respect of private forestry are not available.
In 1966, the latest year for which an estimate has been made, direct grants met on average about 32 per cent. of the net cost of forestry operations in dedicated and approved woodlands. This was about equally divided between planting grants and management grants.