§ Lord John-Mackieasked Her Majesty's Government:
What acreage of woodland has been sold by the Forestry Commission since August 1981 and what was the price received: and how many acres of new planting have been carried out (a) by the Forestry Commission and (b) by private forestry since August 1981.
§ The Earl of MansfieldFrom the beginning of August 1981 until 21st September 1982, 10,560 acres (4,273 hectares) of forestry land and plantations were sold by the Forestry Commission for the sum of £3.2 million.
The latest available statistics for new planting are for the year ended 31st March 1982. During that year the Forestry Commission planted 27,127 acres (10,978 hectares). In the same period, grants were paid for 30,794 acres (12,462 hectares) of new planting by the private sector, and it is estimated that some 490 acres (200 hectares) were planted without grants.