HL Deb 03 February 1966 vol 272 cc578-9WA
LORD ROYLE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have completed their review of the Forestry Commission's Planting Program.

LORD MTTCHISON

The Government have completed their review of planting to be carried out by the Forestry Commission. The current program for Great Britain which was announced in July, 1963, provided for the Commission to plant 450,000 acres during the ten years from 1964–1973. After careful examination of the competing demands on the national economy it has been decided that in England and Wales planting should continue within the existing 450,000 acres program. The White Paper on the Scottish Economy 1965 to 1970 (Command. 2864), presented to Parliament on 25th January by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, sets out the circumstances in which it has been decided to increase the program in Scotland from the present level of 30,000 acres a year to 36,000 acres a year from 1969 onwards.