HC Deb 23 March 1978 vol 946 cc789-91W
Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current number of

staff employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland on a (a) clerical and (b) non clerical basis?

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

At 31st December 1977, the numbers were (a) 258 and (b) 3,167.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total average of land in Scotland owned by the Forestry Commission and how much of this is (a) not planted and (b) not used for agricultural purposes.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

At 31st March 1977, the Forestry Commision was responsible for the management of 1,940,720 acres in Scotland owned by the Secretary of State for Scotland. Of this, 804,550 acres were not planted and 1,651,620 acres were not being used for agricultural purposes.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses on land acquired by the Forestry Commission in Scotland during each of the past 15 years have been demolished and are not being maintained.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

Figures for years prior to 1970 are not readily available. Since that date only three houses have been demolished, one in each of the years 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1975–76. All other dwelling houses on land acquired by the Forestry Commission are being maintained.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Forestry Commission houses in Scotland are currently occupied by Forestry Commission employees, and what percentage of Forestry Commission houses this represents.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

At 31st March 1977, the number was 1,384. This represents 74 per cent. of the total.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many public rights of way have been fenced off by the Forestry Commission as a result of land acquisition and how many of these have been used for tree plantation.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

It is not the Forestry Commission's policy to fence off public rights of way.