§ 98. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the extent of the devastation and loss caused by the forest fire in the North of Scotland this month as compared with other similar forest fires in the North of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclayThe fire at Glenmore, Inverness, on 3rd June burnt about 300 acres of Forestry Commission plantations and a further 700 acres of privately-owned woodland and moorland. The cost of replacing the Commission plantations will be about £40,000. This was the most serious forest fire in the North of Scotland since 1956, when 740 acres of Commission woodland was destroyed. The Glenmore fire started beside a public road and I hope the extent of the loss will once more act as a reminder of the evident need for every care to be taken to prevent similar disasters.