§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the approximate acreage of trees standing at the Lonston site, Forest of Dean, prior to the recent major windblow; and how many acres were left standing after the windblow.
§ Mr. StrangI assume that the site my hon. Friend is referring to is the one known as Woorgreens Gale, which was affected by windblow in January 1976. Out of approximately 160 acres, 72 acres in the middle were severely affected, with trees blown down or broken. This area has since been cleared. There are a further 21 acres of mature trees which will have to be cleared soon because of their added vulnerability to windblow and 66 acres of young crops which are unaffected.