§ Mr. Benyonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has considered the future position of forestry under the Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Industry Training Board; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BryanMy right hon. Friend has received representations from forestry employers' organisations about the cost of operating the Board's levy and grant system for forestry alone, and the desirability of bringing together arrangements 225W for training in the public and private sectors of forestry. Officials of my Department have had preliminary discussions with interested organisations about what alternative arrangements for forestry training might be made and how the forestry sector could fulfil its outstanding financial obligations to the training board. When these discussions have been completed and my right hon. Friend has the views of the organisations concerned he will be able to consider more fully the future position of forestry under the Board.