§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken, and is proposing to take, to preserve natural pine forests in Scotland.
§ Mr. William RossThe Forestry Commission, the Nature Conservancy Council, the Forestry Department of Aberdeen University and private woodland owners maintain close co-operation to preserve natural pine forests. I understand that a symposium on the ecological aspects of pine forests, including their conservation, is to be held by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology at Colyumbridge, Inverness-shire from 19th–23rd May this year.
§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the area of naturel pine forest in Scotland as a whole, and in each Scottish constituency; and what acreage has been felled in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. William RossNo comprehensive numerical survey of natural pine forest in Scotland has been carried out; estimates of the total area vary between 4,000 and 30,000 acres, depending upon different definitions of natural pine forest. Figures for acreages of natural pine felled are not available.