§ 38. Mr. Morrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many proposals, involving how many acres, made by the Forestry Commission regarding land that was sought for planting by them, he approved in England and in Wales in each of the last three years; and how many were not approved.
§ Mr. GodberThe responsibility for acquiring land for forestry purposes in England and Wales rests with my right hon. Friend. I am unable to give particulars of the official consultations that lead up to decisions to acquire.
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§ 39. Mr. Morrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to increase the amount of land required for forestry purposes; and if he will examine the scale of prices offered by the Commission for land.
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend is in close touch with the Forestry Commission about ways in which its need for more land can be met. The limiting factor must continue to be the amount of suitable land coming on to the market.
The Commission's policy is to pay fair market prices for such land as it purchases.