§ Mr. Donnerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the rapid disappearance of hedgerow timber and healthy trees growing in small spinneys in many parts of the country; and whether he will take steps to see that farmers and landowners concerned realise the national importance of replanting at least as many trees as they fell.
§ Sir T. DugdaleMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have recently appointed a special committee under the chairmanship of Lord Merthyr to consider this problem. The Committee is to be called the Committee on Hedgerow and Farm Timber. and has the following terms of reference:
In view of the national need to promote timber production, to examine the extent to which the growth of hedgerow timber is compatible with good agricultural practice and to make recommendations as to the best means of securing the planting and tending of hedgerow timber.The Committee is being asked to regard these terms of reference as covering small farm spinneys, park timber and roadside trees.