Royal Parks, Trees (Standing Committee)

HC Deb 13 April 1954 vol 526 cc99-100W

Mr. H. Fraser

asked the Minister of Works what further steps he proposes to take in connection with the felling and planting of trees in the Royal Parks

Sir D. Eccles

As I told the hon. Member last July, before starting to fell and replant trees in Kensington Gardens I was taking expert advice and as I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster (Mr. F. Maclean) on 26th January I obtained advice from Kew, Oxford and Edinburgh as well as my own expert staff. Further decisions on trees in the Royal Parks will be required. I am satisfied that this important matter must be constantly studied. The advice of experts will be more frequently needed and I am anxious to ensure continuity of policy.

I have, therefore, appointed a Standing Committee to advise me on policy and on special problems of felling and planting. I have been fortunate to secure the services of the following:

Sir William Taylor (Chairman).

MembersMr. R. C. B. Gardner, Lord Hurcomb, Mr. A. D. C. LeSueur, Mr. J. Macdonald, Sir Edward Salisbury.

Notes: Sir William Taylor, C.B.E.; Former Forestry Commissioner and Director General of the Forestry Commission. Member of the Nature Conservancy and other bodies. Mr. R. C. B. Gardner; Secretary of the Royal Forestry Society for England and Wales. Lord Hurcomb; Member of the Nature Conservancy. Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Bird (Life in the Royal Parks. Mr. A. D. C. LeSueur, O.B.E., F.R.I.C.S.; Consultant on arboriculture. Mr. J. Macdonald, C.B.E.; Director of Research and Education, Forestry Commission. Sir Edward Salisbury, C.B.E., D.S.C.; Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.