§ Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether the Government have completed their review of the Forestry Commission's planting programme; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WilleyThe Government have completed their review of planting to be carried out by the Forestry Commission. The current programme for Great Britain which was announced in July 1963 provided for the Commission to plant 450,000 acres during the ten years from 1964–73. 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 289W programme. The White Paper on the Scottish Economy 1965 to 1970 (Cmnd. 2864), presented to Parliament on 25th January by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, sets out the circumstances in which it has been decided to increase the programme in Scotland from the present level of 30,000 acres a year to 36,000 acres a year from 1969 onwards.