§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the approximate extent of the labour force currently employed in the Clocaenog Forest, Clwyd; and whether there is a reasonable prospect of its being increased within the next two or three years.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThere are 48 employees of the Forestry Commission, 12 self-employed persons and an average of 20 employees or private firms working in Clocaenog Forest at present. Up to five additional Commission employees may be recruited over the next two to three years to deal with an anticipated increase in the felling programme.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what are the current prospects of increasing the sales of saw-logs and pulp material produced in the area of the Clocaenog Forest, Clwyd;
174W(2) what are the current prospects of increasing the sales of stakes and other horticultural requirements produced in the area of the Clocaenog Forest, Clwyd.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe prospect of increasing sales of sawlogs and pulp material in the immediate future is not very good, since the Forestry Commission is at present selling all available material. However, it is anticipated that the volume of timber available will steadily increase from 1980 upwards.
Sales of stakes and other horticultural requirements increased by 20 per cent. in the period April-September 1977 compared with the same period in 1976, and the Forestry Commission plans to continue production at or slightly above that level.