§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the natural hazards, windthrow risk and soil capability for afforestation of that land at Druim Carn na Muc in Caithness which is owned by the Forestry Commission; and if he will state the estimated internal rate of return that would accrue from a plantation on this land.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThere are no special natural hazards which would affect forestry on this site. The windthrow risk is assessed as class 5, which is typical for many parts of Scotland; the soil is a nutrient-rich peat, which would give a good average yield class of timber; and the estimated internal rate of return to the Forestry Commission is between 2 per cent. and 2.5 per cent.