§ Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many men and boys have been taken into employment by merchants in the last 12 months to fell and process parcels of standing timber in the ownership of the Forestry Commission in Wales; and why such work was not undertaken by the Commission's employees.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsPrecise figures are not available but it is believed that the total number employed by merchants in 67W Wales to handle standing timber acquired from the Forestry Commission is of the order of 300; it has not changed significantly during the year. The Commissioners' primary function is to establish and maintain plantations, and not to take over the functions of the timber trade. It is therefore their policy to sell as much standing timber as possible, having regard, among other things, to their obligation to maintain a stable labour force.