§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is true that the Countryside Commission has been prohibited from grant-aiding land purchase 343WA by voluntary organisations if the land is being offered for sale by statutory agencies such as the Forestry Commission; if so, why; and whether they will reconsider this policy in the light of the forthcoming enforced sales of part of their land-holdings by the Forestry Commission which pose a major threat to the wildlife and amenity interest of such areas.
§ The Earl of AvonThe Countryside Commission is not prohibited from grant-aiding land purchase by voluntary organisations where the land is being offered for sale by statutory agencies such as the Forestry Commission. However, the commission is constrained by availability of funds and, although each case is considered on its merits, grants are not normally offered in such circumstances.
We are not aware of any proposals for the disposal of land holdings by the Forestry Commission that pose a major threat to wildlife or amenity interest.