§ Mr. Sextonasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many of 2077W the 200,000 acres, extra to normal planting, have been definitely occupied under the afforestation scheme for the Special Areas authorized in February, 1936; whether he will give the number of acres in or within 15 miles of each scheduled Special Area, respectively; and the number of unemployed men set to work from each Special Area, respectively, with the average number of days of employment given to each man?
§ Sir G. CourthopeThe following acreage, extra to normal acquisitions, has been occupied under the scheme of afforestation in and within 15 miles of each of the Special Areas:
2078W
Plantable acres. Total acres. South Wales … 8,236 10,000 West Cumberland … 8,482 9,855 Durham and Tyneside … 15,900 21,500 The number of workers from the Special Areas and 15 miles radius employed on the scheme since February, 1936, and the average number of days of employment per person was as follows:
(a) on "special areas "programme. (b) on "normal "programme. — South Wales. West Cumberland. Durham and Tyneside. (a) (b) (a) (b) (a) (b) Number of workers. 232 129 91 205 65 304 Average number of days employment. 122 177 136 326 101 376 In addition to the Department's planting programme, employment has been given in the Special Areas by contractors engaged in the erection of houses for forest workers' holdings.