§ 5. Sir Gilbert Longdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now issue a directive to the Forestry Commission to plant more oak, ash, chestnut, walnut and other hardwood trees.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThe consultative document on forestry which my right hon. Friends issued on 28th June recognises the advantages of planting of this kind; and as recently as last January the commission announced that its policy will be to plant hardwoods where they are an essential feature of the landscape and where cultural conditions are suitable for them.
§ 38. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether reafforestation of felled woodlands will in future qualify for planting grants.
§ Mr. Peter MillsIn his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North (the Earl of Dalkeith) on 28th June, my right hon. Friend said that existing commitments under the dedication and other grant schemes would be honoured. These commitments will, of course, cover grants for the replanting of felled woodlands.
My right hon. Friend also announced that there would be consultation on a new grant system. I cannot anticipate the result at this stage, but the replanting of felled woodlands will be one of the subjects to be reviewed.—[Vol. 839. c. 364–6.]