HC Deb 16 May 1972 vol 837 cc46-7W
32. Mr. Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish the findings of the review of forestry policy before decisions on the industry's future are taken.

Mr. Prior

There will be a publication. Copies will be available to the House as soon as possible after the recess and I will then make a statement.

40. Sir Gilbert Longden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many conifers and other soft woods have been planted in each of the past 10 years by the Forestry Commission, and how many oak, ash, chestnut,

TREE SPECIES PLANTED BY THE FORESTRY COMMISSION
'000 plants
Hardwoods
Year ended Conifers Oak Beech Other species* Total
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
31st March, 1972 … 65,560 139 260 169 568
31st March, 1971 … 76,500 30 280 130 440
31st March, 1970 … 63,902 41 285 130 456
18 months to 31st March, 1969 … 88,000 74 620 306 1,000
30th September, 1967 … 84,885 79 827 257 1,163
30th September, 1966 … 92,488 220 969 460 1,649
30th September, 1965 … 97,190 287 1,273 623 2,183
30th September, 1964 … 106,487 207 1,543 770 2,520
30th September, 1963 … 106,812 250 1,822 946 3,018
30th September, 1962 … 116,474 578 3,461 1,067 5,106
* Mainly Sycamore and Ash.

The commission's accounts do not distinguish between conifers and hardwoods. A comparison of net annual earnings would not in any case be relevant since the commission's hardwoods are managed mainly for amenity rather than a commercial return.