HC Deb 16 February 1970 vol 796 cc6-7W
Earl of Dalkeith

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many acres of land at present used for hill farming in Wales he calculates are able to provide a greater measure of import saving over a 50-year period when afforested.

Mr. George Thomas

I would refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave him on 16th December last on the suitability of land for afforestation. In the very long term much of this land might well, on the basis of constant prices, provide a greater measure of import saving if afforested; but that is not the only consideration in deciding whether to invest additional resources in planting it.—[Vol. 793, c. 278–9.]