§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost to public funds of the Nature Conservancy Council entering into a management agreement with Fountain forestry under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in the event of that company being refused a grant by the Forestry Commission for commercial forestry planting on Creag Meagaidh.
§ Mr. John MacKayIt is not possible to estimate the cost to public funds of any such management agreement. The financial provisions would have to be negotiated between the Nature Conservancy Council and the owners of the land in accordance with the published financial guidelines.