§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of land in Scotland the Forestry Commission owns at present; how much land it owned on 3 May 1979; how much acreage it is expecting to purchase by 31 December 1980; what percentage of the acreage it owns at present is being used for the growing of trees; and what types of trees are being grown.
§ Mr. YoungerStatistics are maintained by financial years. The following is the available information for Scotland
At 31 March 1980 the Forestry Commission's land holdings totalled 799,700 hectares; the corresponding figure at 31 March 1979 was 792,100 hectares. Between 31 March 1980 and 31 December 1980 it is expected that the purchase of 1,700 hectares will be completed, although this will be partly offset by the disposal of surplus assets.Of the Commission's total holdings, 62 per cent, is being used for growing trees and 8 per cent. is awaiting planting. The plantations are mainly coniferous, the principal species in order of importance being Sitka spruce, Lodgepole pine, Scots pine and Norway spruce.