HC Deb 30 April 1984 vol 59 cc13-4W
Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give, for England and Wales, respectively, the area of land newly-forested in each year since 1979 making a distinction between coniferous plantations and other forestry schemes.

Mrs. Fenner

The information requested is as follows:

Year ended New Planting
31 March Conifers Broadleaves Total
England
1980 1,368 344 1,712
1981 992 383 1,375
1982 1,041 312 1,353
1983 1,475 468 1,943
Wales
1980 1,300 53 1,353
1981 1,187 57 1,244
1982 1,289 41 1,330
1983 1,276 71 1,347
These figures cover planting by the Forestry Commission and by private owners under the Commission's grant aid schemes. Similar information for the year ended 31 March 1984 is not yet available centrally.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give, for England and Wales, respectively, the area of land cleared of deciduous woods in each full year since 1979.

Mrs. Fenner

The only comprehensive information available is that provided by the recent reports of the Forestry Commission's census of woodlands and trees. Although these reports do not show how the position has altered from year to year, they do indicate that the total broadleaved cover in England and Wales has not declined since the last complete census in 1947.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the area of land newly-afforested since January 1980 in England and Wales, respectively, and if he will indicate those proportions planted by the Forestry Commission and private landowners, respectively.

Mrs. Fenner

The information requested, which is recorded by complete financial years and at present is available only to 31 March 1983, is as follows:

Year ended New Planting
31 March Forestry Commission Private Owners Total
England
1980 898 814 1,712
1981 470 905 1,375
Year ended New Planting
31 March Forestry Commission Private Owners Total
1982 558 795 1,353
1983 429 1,514 1,943
Wales
1980 797 556 1,353
1981 683 561 1,244
1982 326 1,004 1,330
1983 436 911 1,347
The private planting shown is that carried out under the Forestry Commission's grant-aid schemes.

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