HC Deb 19 January 1970 vol 794 cc72-3W
Mr. James Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will take steps to give parity of opportunity for afforestation as between the Forestry Commission and the private sector;

(2) if he will take steps to prevent land that has been refused to the Forestry Commission for afforestation by his authority being subsequently used for this purpose by private forestry interests.

Mr. Ross

Neither the Commission nor the private sector is under any constraint which can be regarded as operating to the comparative disadvantage of one or the other.

The situation to which the hon. Member refers seldom arises in practice, and I see no justification for legislating to prevent it.