§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many Forestry Commission felling licences have been granted to private individuals or organisations in Wales during each of the last three years; and what were the total acreages of hard and softwood timber so felled.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe numbers of felling licences issued by the Foresty Commission in Wales during each of the last three years were as follows:
Year ended 31 March Number of licences 1982 87 1983 112 1984 150 Those licences which were for the clear felling of woodland are shown below together with the areas involved:
Areas felled (hectares) Year ended 31 March Number of licences Broadleaves Conifers 1982 40 65 21 1983 62 72 52 1984 71 86 127 The majority of licences issued for clear felling carried replanting conditions.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that all directly-elected public authorities in Wales are consulted by the Foresty Commission when consideration is given to granting felling licences or planting in private estates within their areas.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsAdequate arrangements already exist. Since 1974, the Foresty Commission has under its grant aid and felling licensing procedures consulted with local planning authorities on felling and planting proposals in all those circumstances in which it has been agreed with the authorities that such consultations should take place.