§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to encourage private forest companies to include recreational provision in their planting schemes;
(2) if the Forestry Commission will consult the Scottish Development Department on the inclusion of recreation provision in any large scale forestry grant scheme.
§ Mr. RifkindApplicants for grant under the Forestry Commission's forestry grant scheme and broadleaved woodland grant scheme are already required to accept as an objective that they should provide such opportunities for recreation, including provision for public access, as may be appropriate. Any necessary consultations on these matters are carried out by the Forestry Commission with the relevant local authority and the applicant at the time that the grant application is received, and the Scottish Development Department would not normally be involved. I see no reason to modify these arrangements.