Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acres of timber have been planted in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; of this how much is in the form of wind break and shelter belts; and how much for timber production.
§ Mr. Pendry, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 19 March 1979, Vol. 964, c. 501], gave the following information:
The following areas have been planted in Northern Ireland during the past five years:
State (acres) Private (Planting Grant Scheme) (acres) 1973–74 3,954 329 1974–75 3,368 183 1975–76 2,896 84 1976–77 2,842 143 1977–78 3,017 47 It is not possible to provide figures to distinguish between planting for shelter belts and those for timber production, but most plantings are for timber production.