§ 61. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how many the tree numbers in Great Britain are increasing or decreasing each year; and whether he will make a statement on the progress made in this direction by the Tree Council.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe number of trees on Forestry Commission land and on land in private ownership within the Commission's grant schemes has been increasing by over 80 million a year in recent years. This increase has, however,568W been partly offset by an unquantified but substantial decline in the numbers of other trees as a result of felling, old age, Dutch elm disease and other factors. The promotion of amenity tree planting by the Tree Council and other agencies is no doubt having some effect on the number of trees planted. I expect to receive before long a report from the Council on whether there are any steps the Government could usefully take within existing financial constraints to encourage planting in the wake of Dutch elm disease.