§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the proportions of deciduous trees to conifers planted, respectively, in the private and public sectors.
§ Mr. John MacKayIn the year ended 31 March 1986, the private sector planted or restocked 21,017 hectares with conifers and 2,341 hectares with broadleaves under the Forestry Commission's grant schemes (in Scotland, 18,422 hectares and 429 hectares, respectively). The commission itself planted or restocked 11,268 hectares with conifers and 362 hectares with broadleaves (in Scotland, 7,289 hectares and 112 hectares, respectively). The areas of broadleaved woodland planted or restocked by the private sector and the commission represented increases of 42 per cent. and 84 per cent., respectively over the previous year (72 per cent. and 93 per cent. in Scotland). It is expected that the planting of broadleaves will continue to increase as the initiatives announced by the Government in July 1985 take full effect.
§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to introduce planning controls in respect of planting of trees on high land.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to introduce such controls.
§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to extend the powers of the regional advisory committee concerning tree planting schemes.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe Forestry Commission's regional advisory committees are advisory and have no powers as such.