HC Deb 22 June 1926 vol 197 cc256-7W
Colonel WOODCOCK

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth, as representing the Forestry Commissioners (1) how many farms are now under the control of the Forestry Commission; whether a profit or loss is shown as a result; and, if so, what is the amount for the last three years;

(2) the cost of stock for the past year in connection with the Forestry Commission; and what is the loss for that period?

Sir L. FORESTIER-WALKER

The Commissioners now have five farms under direct management, the land being either in process of absorption in afforestation and forest workers' holdings, or of early disposal if not required for the purposes of the Commissioners. At the instance of the Public Accounts Committee the question of keeping profit and loss accounts for farming operations has been discussed between the Treasury and the Commissioners. It has been decided, in view of the incidental character of these operations, not to keep separate accounts but to include the receipts and expenditure in the commercial accounts for the forests. The value of the livestock owned by the Forestry Commission at the beginning of the forest year 1924–25 was £5,465. Payments for stock purchased during the year amounted to £7,073, and receipts for stock sold to £3,810. The value of the stock on hand at the end of the year was £7,910, and the loss was therefore £818. In the acquisition of large areas of land for afforestation it is occasionally necessary to take over sheep stock. Steps are taken to dispose of this stock without delay, and the loss in realisation is the difference between a compensatory valuation (including acclimatisation value) and the market realisation. When the acquisition of an area involves purchase of sheep stock the Commissioners, in valuing the plantable land, take full account of the probable loss on resale of the sheep.