§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present approximate production of thinnings from forests in the United Kingdom; what estimate has been made of the increase that is likely to occur in such production over the next three decades; and what plans are being made for absorbing such increase by the establishment of suitable industries.
§ Mr. HareAbout 26 million hoppus feet of softwood was produced from thinnings in Great Britain in the forest year 1958 by the Forestry Commission and private woodland owners. Production is expected to rise by 1965 to 39 million hoppus feet and by 1975 to 62 million hoppus feet. Estimates for later years have not yet been made. In recent years new processing plants, such as those at Ellesmere Port and Sudbrook, have been set up with the encouragement of the Forestry Commission. In addition the Commission has promoted investigations into the feasibility of establishing additional small-scale pulp mills, wood chipboard and wood fibre building board plants to supplement traditional methods of making use of these supplies. There is already a great deal of interest by industry in the possibilities of such developments. In addition, the Government have impressed on the private woodland owners the desirability of setting up an effective woodland owners organisation which, among other things, would assist in the planning or development of new markets.