§ Sir Robert SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list those contracts entered into by the Forestry Commission which allow motor vehicles to use Forestry Commission land for activities not related to timber; and if he will make a statement; [75572]
(2) what guidelines he has issued to the Forestry Commission on the involvement of the local community in decision-taking on the non-timber activities allowed on Forestry Commission land; and if he will make a statement; [75573]
(3) what commercial organisations, not involved in the production of timber, operate on Forestry Commission land. [75681]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe subjects of these questions relate to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Bob McIntosh to Sir Robert Smith, dated 11 March 1999:
The Secretary of State for Scotland has asked me to reply to your Question Nos 75572, 75573 and 75681, about activities on Forestry Commission land not related to timber.
The Forestry Commission encourages the pursuit of many different activities on its land, provided that these activities do not conflict with its other economic, social and environmental objectives. We give consent to a wide range of commercial organisations to operate on Commission land and a detailed list is not held centrally. In nearly all cases vehicular access is involved. The organisations include those involved in sporting, the provision of recreational facilities such as cycle hire, pony trekking, and four wheel drive hire, management training companies, operators of windfarms and transmission mast sites, film production companies involved in filming on FC land, motor rallies and rally driving schools.
The Commission has a Master Agreement with the Royal Automobile Motor Sports Association for motor rallies on its land. The Commission also has individual agreements with "quad bike" operators who hire out the use of all-terrain vehicles and with rally driving schools for car testing. We also allow our land to be used for special events such as "four by four" safaris by Motor Clubs and members of the public.
369WThe Secretary of State has encouraged the Commission to involve local communities in the management of Forestry Commission land but has not issued any specific guidelines. The Commission has an Environmental Panel in each of its Forest Districts as a forum to consider our Forest Design Plans and discuss the management of local forests. Local communities are often represented on these panels and have an opportunity to make their views known on issues of local concern.
I hope I have answered the questions you have raised.