§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of Forestry Commission felling operations are carried out by local labour; and what proportion of felling and planting operations are put to competitive tender.
§ Mr. John MacKayApproximately eighty per cent. of the Forestry Commission's felling operations are carried out by local labour.
About 20 per cent. of felling operations and 1 per cent. of planting operations are put out to competitive tender.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the recent financial returns achieved by the Forestry Commission on its planting operations carried out since 1920.
§ Mr. John MacKayFrom 1 April 1972 the Commission has been set a target rate of return for forestry of 3 per cent. in real terms. At five-yearly intervals the assets are revalued and performance is measured against that target rate for the preceding five-year period.
The first five-year period ended on 31 March 1977 and the performance achieved within that period represented an overall return of 3.1 per cent. in real terms when expressed as a return over the whole rotation.
The second five-year period ended on 31 March 1982. The performance achieved within that period represented an overall return of 2.6 per cent. in real terms.
With only two years of the current five-year period completed the indications are that the target rate of return of 3 per cent. will be exceeded.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much Forestry Commission land has been sold on a sale and leaseback arrangement; and if he is satisfied with this method of disposal.
§ Mr. John MacKayExcept in the case of one small property, this method of sale has failed to attract any serious interest and it has ceased to be used.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from trade 152W unions concerning piecemeal disposal of Forestry Commission land; and whether he has any plans to privatise the operation as a whole.
§ Mr. John MacKayA number of such representations have been received.
The policy relating to the disposal of land managed by the Forestry Commission was set out by my right hon. Friend on 8 November 1984 in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, Central (Mr. Lord) at column 6.
§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the environmental input of the Forestry Commission activities in Scotland.
§ Mr. John MacKayMy right hon. Friend has received a number of representations over the last year or two on environmental aspects of the Commission's activities in Scotland. Most of these representations related to specific planting or felling proposals by private owners involving the Commission as the Department responsible for administering the felling licensing regulations and the forestry grant scheme. There were also representations relating to the Commission's own activities, mainly on the possible impact on the environment of certain sales of land.