§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will state, for each of the last five years, and for (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales, in respect of applications for foresty grant for planting conifers on previously unplanted land:
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- (i) how many applications have been received by the Foresty Commission (FC) where the FC have refused grant, and where the applicant or another party have subsequently planted part or all of the land involved with conifers without grant;
- (ii) how many applications have been received by the FC where grant has been initially refused and where the applicant or another party has subsequently planted part or all of the land involved in the earlier application with grant-aid from the FC.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)Two cases have been recorded in the first category. These were in Scotland—one in the year ended 31st March 1983 and the other in the year ended 31st March 1986.
Only one case has been recorded in the second category. This was in Scotland in the year ended 31st March 1984.
In addition, there was a case in Scotland in the year ended 31st March 1985 in which an application for grant was made but the applicant planted part of the land before a decision on the application was reached.
§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many instances they are aware of where, in each of the last five years, and for (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales, land previously unplanted with trees has been planted with conifers in blocks of 10 hectares or more, without any application for grant-aid in respect of that planting being made to the Forestry Commission.
§ Lord Gray of ContinThe Forestry Commission is aware of only two such cases. These were in Wales during the year ended 31st March 1986 and involved the planting of approximately 20 hectares in one case and between 10 and 20 hectares in the other.