HC Deb 03 August 1978 vol 955 cc634-5W
Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are plans to expand recreational facilities in the Forest of Dean.

Mr. Strang

Continuing improvements are planned to existing facilities, including the provision of small car parks. The Forestry Commission also proposes to form a lake on a site yet to be decided and, subject to planning permission, to construct a picnic site at Edgehills.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the revenues obtained from the recreational facilities in the Forest of Dean in 1977, 1976 and 1975.

Mr. Strang

The gross revenues from those facilities on which a commercial return is required are as follows:

£
1975–76 56,900
1976–77 68,900
1977–78 31,800

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people used the recreational facilities in the Forest of Dean in 1977, 1976 and 1975.

Mr. Strang

Precise figures are available only for overnight campers and these are:

1975–76 156,040
1976–77 197,862
1977–78 193,730

The number of day visits is currently estimated to be about 750,000 a year.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of men employed in the Forest of Dean by the Forestry Commission.

Mr. Strang

The number has remained fairly stable over the past three years and at present is 127. This figure includes a small number of contractors.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value of wood cut in the Forest of Dean in 1977, 1976 and 1975.

Mr. Strang

The values were:

£
1975–76 442,100
1976–77 610,200
1977–78 701,000