HC Deb 28 July 1949 vol 467 cc161-3W
Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress is being made in the rehabilitation and systematic management of private woodlands.

Mr. T. William

The Government have been much concerned at the slow progress that is being made in the rehabilitation of private woodlands, and consequently has been reconsidering the Dedication Scheme and the problems of private forestry in general. A recent census shows that there are about 2.8 million acres of private woodlands in Great Britain, of which it is estimated that about 2.3 million acres are capable of economic management. Of these 2.3 million acres, about 1.0 million require replanting.

It is essential in the national interest that all suitable areas should be replanted with the minimum of delay, and that the management of woodlands should in the fullest sense be a joint enterprise of the State and the woodland owners. But on present indications the owners who have dedicated or who are preparing to dedicate their woodlands are only a small minority of the whole. The Government have, therefore, considered further measures to secure the co-operation of private woodland owners.

It is manifestly impossible to deal with a long-term venture such as forestry in the same way as agriculture, and it is not feasible to guarantee prices for the many categories of timber which may be felled over the next 50 to 100 years. The Government, however, recognise that a healthy and stable forest industry is an essential part of the national economy and proposes to review the economics of British forestry at convenient intervals in consultation with woodland owners and the timber trade. The State itself has a large and rapidly increasing stake in the forest industry and owners who are anxious about the future prosperity of the industry should keep this prominently in mind.

A subsidy of 3d. per cubic foot on thinnings was recently introduced, and at the present time the Board of Trade are considering the whole question of standing timber prices. In the meantime, the Government propose to increase the planting grant from £10 to £12 per acre and the maintenance grant (where applicable) from 3s. 4d. to 4s. per acre. These figures will operate until October, 1951, when a general review will be made.

As regards the dedication agreements, it is proposed to amend the perpetuity Clause so as to permit release from dedication in certain exceptional circumstances, and to remit the obligation to submit accounts under Basis but woodland owners will be invited to submit annual accounts for analysis as is now done in the case of farm accounts. In the event of a dispute arising on the question whether work has been done satisfactorily, the matter will be referred to an independent investigation committee which will report to the Commissioners, with whom the final decision, however, must rest. The Forestry Commission have also under consideration certain steps for encouraging co-operation among woodland owners and for improving the utilisation of forest produce.

The Government feel that in total, these arrangements will be of material benefit to private woodland owners. Where woodland areas requiring rehabilitation are neither under active consideration for dedication nor receiving adequate treatment, the Forestry Commissioners will, where necessary, have to acquire those woodlands. It is hoped, however, that the majority of owners will recognise the national need for making woodlands fully productive and will co-operate to that end with the Forestry Commission.