§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current Government policy in relation to the sale of land by the Forestry Commission; and if he will make a statement. [87443]
§ Mr. MacdonaldWe have stopped large scale sales of forest land by the Forestry Commission. Our policy is that the Commission may only sell agricultural land, land associated with houses and other buildings, unplantable land and relatively small and isolated blocks of forest land which do not make a significant contribution to its objectives and which are surplus to its requirements. The Commission may also sell areas for development where this is in the public interest. Areas of forest land which are important for public access will not be sold unless an access agreement is in place.