HL Deb 24 February 1976 vol 368 cc693-4WA
The Earl of DUNDEE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To state:

(1) The acreage of woodlands in the United Kingdom, giving separate figures for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, acquired by the Forestry Commission from its institution in 1919 until the latest date for which figures are available, distinguishing between old woods felled and replanted and new land afforested;

Figures in acres
Great Britain England Scotland Wales
Under plantations 1,998,800 605,200 1,066,700 326,900
To be planted 222,400 31,400 173,700 17,300

Of the land under plantations approximately 1½million acres consists of new planting, which is mainly planting of bare land acquired by the Commission and ½million acres of restocking, comprising mainly land planted following felling of an earlier crop by the Commission.

(2) Up to 31 March 1975, 987,000 acres had been planted in Great Britain by private woodland owners with the aid of Forestry Commission grants. Records showing the breakdown between new planting and restocking were not kept before 1970.

(3) The total area of privately owned woodland planted in Great Britain prior to 1919 amounted in 1965, the year of the

(2) the acreage of privately owned woods planted with the aid of the Forestry Commission under any of the Schemes which have been applied since 1919 until the latest available date, again distinguishing so far as possible between new ground afforested, and old woodlands felled and replanted;

(3) the acreage of old privately owned woods, so far as is known, which have not been felled since 1919, either dedicated or undedicated, and which are still capable of yielding serviceable timber.

The MINISTER of STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (Lord Kirkhill)

Information in the precise form requested is not available except at disproportionate cost. Details which can be supplied are as follows:

(1) Land use of the Forestry Commission as at 31 March 1975, including plantations acquired was:—

last census of private woodlands, to 766,300 acres. Most of this area was capable of yielding serviceable timber.

The Northern Ireland forestry service ceased to be a part of the Forestry Commission in 1921. Information regarding their operations and private forestry in Northern Ireland is not available in the form requested. However, the total area of land acquired by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland up to 31 March 1975 was 162,800 acres and the total area of private woodlands is currently estimated to be about 37,000 acres.

House adjourned at six minutes past six o'clock.