§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effect any privatisation of the Forestry Commission would have on the Government's stated aim of extending forestry by 3,300 hectares per annum.
§ Mr. LangMinisters have asked the forestry review group to review the options for the ownership and management of Forestry Commission woodlands, and the effectiveness of the current incentives for forestry investment, and to make proposals for changes which would improve the effectiveness of the delivery of the Government's forestry policy objectives, having regard to the Government's other economic and environmental policies.
Privatisation is only one of the many options which the group is considering. My fellow forestry Ministers and I will give careful consideration to the advice which the review group offers, before deciding what action, if any, should be taken.