§ 59. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the reports made to him on the developments in Northumberland for the siting of a pulp mill involving the use of Keilder Forest timber; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MackieMy right hon. Friend has not received any official report on the subject but I understand that the sponsors of the project have commissioned a feasibility study.
I am well aware of the keen local interest in this project and I have considered the question of timber supplies very thoroughly. I am afraid, however, 91W that it would not be possible for the Forestry Commission to supply timber from its forests in Northumberland in anything approaching the volume required by a pulp mill of this size. I am convinced that premature felling is not a practical possibility because it would be unsound economically and would inevitably seriously reduce supplies in the longer term.