§ Mr. DALTONasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the present number of forest holdings in the county of Durham; and what is the proposed increase in this number for next year?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Forestry Commissioners have 17 forest workers' holdings in the county of Durham. Any increase next year will depend on the acquisition of additional land for afforestation.
§ Mr. DALTONasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the area of land now owned by the Commission in the county of Durham; what addition has been made during the present year; and whether it is proposed to make a further addition next year?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Forestry Commissioners own 5,921 acres in the county of Durham. No addition has been made during the past year. It is proposed to add to that area if and when suitable land is available.
§ Mr. DAYasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what was the average number of State afforestation workers that were employed during the 12 months to the last convenient date; and whether the number of acres it is proposed to afforest during the next season has yet been fixed, and the number of afforestation workers it is proposed to employ?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe average number of State afforestation employés during the 12 months ended 30th September last was 3,470. It is proposed to afforest 20,500 acres during the season now started and it is estimated that the average number of workers who will be employed during the season will be 3,600.
Mr. ANDERSONasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what works of afforestation have been put in hand since the issue of the Commissioners' Report for special areas in July, 1935, the acreage covered, and the additional number of men employed, showing the 1586W particulars for each special area separately?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Forestry Commissioners' planting programme for the current season at centres in the three areas referred to in the Report mentioned and the estimated average number of men to be employed is as follows. This is part of the Forestry Commissioners' normal programme.
Acres. Number of men. Tyneside and Durham County 250 84 West Cumberland and Haltwhistle 2,371 172 South Wales 1,030 172
Major MILLSasked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what action is to be taken with regard to the recommendations in the recently published report of the National Forest Park Committee?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Forestry Commissioners have adopted and propose carrying out the recommendations of the Committee.