§ 73. Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what initiatives his Department has been taking to encourage and publicise National Tree Week.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Department continues to grant-aid the Tree Council, which is responsible for organising National Tree Week. On Monday my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister marked National Tree Week by planting a tree at the Chelsea physic garden and announcing that the Government will provide substantial additional funds to carry forward restoration of the treescape following last year's storm.
Some £7 million has already been allocated for planting of amenity trees, including £2.8 million for the coming financial year. In each of the following two years, 1990–91 and 1991–92, £3 million will now be made available, bringing to some £13 million the total provision for this programme. Most of this is being distributed through task force trees, a special unit of the Countryside Commission and the remainder through English Heritage and its scheme for the clearance and replanting of parks and gardens of outstanding architectural or historic interest.