§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the aims and duties of each branch of the Forestry Commission; and what plans he has to split the two branches of the Forestry Commission into separate organisations.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 9 February 1993]: The Forestry Commission carried out an internal reorganisation in April 1992 to distinguish clearly between its functions as a Government Department (the Department of Forestry) and its role in managing publicly owned forests (Forest Enterprise). The Department of Forestry comprises a policy and resources group and the Forestry Authority.
The policy and resources group is responsible for providing support to forestry Ministers on parliamentary matters, developing and monitoring forestry policy, dealing with European and international forestry matters, and providing central services for the commission as a whole.
The Forestry Authority is responsible for administering the commission's grant schemes for private woodlands, controlling the felling of trees and woods, administering regulations to prevent the introduction of potentially harmful forest pests and diseases, and conducting research. These functions are carried out with the aim of ensuring that trees, woodlands and forests in Great Britain are protected, managed, extended and promoted in ways which best serve the public interest in accordance with Government policy.
Forest Enterprise is responsible for managing the commission's estate in Great Britain as a multi-use resource for recreation, wildlife, landscape and conservation, as well as for timber production. This is done with the aim of creating and maintaining attractive and productive woodlands and managing them for public benefits.
The Government have no plans at present to split the two parts of the Forestry Commission into separate organisations.