HL Deb 22 October 1968 vol 296 cc1467-8WA
THE EARL OF DUNDEE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the forty-eighth Annual Report of the Forestry Commission,

  1. 1. How the area of 34,485 acres planted in Scotland by the Commission in the forest year 1966–67 is divided between the Highland Board area and the rest of Scotland; and, similarly, how the estimated area of 19,518 acres planted in Scotland by private owners is so divided, and
  2. 2. Whether Her Majesty's Government will request the Forestry Commission, the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons, and the Comptroller and Auditor General to arrange their mutual business in future so that the annual reports of the Commission may be published at a reasonably 1468 early date, and in any case not later than six months after the conclusion of the forest year covered by each Report.

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)

During the year ended 30th September, 1967, the Forestry Commission planted 17,412 acres in the Highland Board area and 17,073 acres in the rest of Scotland. The corresponding figures for planting by private owners were 6,892 acres and 12,626 acres.

As regards the second part of the noble Earl's Question, the Commission's accounts are now certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General before publication in the Annual Report, but examination by the Public Accounts Committee does not affect the date of publication. The Commission said in their last Annual Report that in future their Reports will be published for the year ending 31st March, instead of 30th September, and, to make the transition, the next Report will cover the 18 months to 31st March, 1969. The Commission have assured me that they try, and will continue to try, to publish their Report with the minimum of delay.

House adjourned at twenty-two minutes past three o'clock.