HC Deb 15 February 1989 vol 147 cc213-4W
Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost to public funds of the repeat consultation which the Forestry Commission is conducting, in respect of those schemes approved under the forestry grant scheme which have been transferred to the woodland grant scheme.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

These further consultations are normally very straightforward and consultees usually have little to add to their previous comments. Detailed records of the costs to public funds of these consultations are not kept separately, but they are marginal in relation to the total cost of operating the consultation procedures.

Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the number of trees that will be lost from planting in 1988–89, in consequence of the repeat consultation required in respect of those schemes approved under the forestry grant scheme which have been transferred to the woodland grant scheme.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Plans of operations approved by the Forestry Commission under its grant schemes cover a five-year period and do not specify planting by individual years. It is not therefore possible to say how many trees which might have been planted in 1988–89 under the forestry grant scheme will not now be planted in that year because the applicants have decided to transfer to the woodland grant scheme.

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