HC Deb 24 November 1960 vol 630 cc133-4W
Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total annual amount spent by the Forestry Commission on improving their employees' houses between 1952 and 1959; how these sums were divided between water supplies, improvements to sanitation, the addition of bathrooms and the supply of electricity; and how much has been spent so far this year on these categories of improvements.

Mr. Soames

The annual amounts spent by the Forestry Commission on improvements are as follows:

£
1952–53 40,000
1953–54 40,000
1954–55 61,000
1955–56 51,000
1956–57 83,000
1957–58 81,000
1958–59 69,000
1959–60 116,000
£541,000

Details of the amounts spent on the various types of improvement are not available for the whole period but I will send the hon. Member details for this year and last year in the course of the next few days.

Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what welfare facilities other than housing and road improvements were provided in Forestry Commission villages between 1952 and 1959; and what was the annual expenditure on each type of improvement.

Mr. Soames

Between 1952 and 1959 the Forestry Commission and other bodies provided or maintained, or helped with the provision or maintenance of, a variety of facilities including village halls, shops, schools, garages, transport and playing fields. I am obtaining information about the expenditure by the Forestry Commission and will write to the hon. Member.