HC Deb 14 December 1984 vol 69 cc619-20W
Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy, when announcing the sales of Forestry Commission land in the Official Report, to indicate the location of such sales more precisely and to include the species composition of each wood.

Mr. John MacKay

Lists of properties sold by the Forestry Commission have been published in theOfficial Report from time to time. The latest list, showing the position to 21 October 1984, was contained in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) on 4 December 1984, at columns 140–50. In order to meet the hon. Member's request, any lists published in the Official Report of properties sold since that date will include in the case of a woodland an Ordnance Survey grid reference and an indication of whether it consists mainly of broadleaves or of conifers.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps the Forestry Commission takes to seek to ensure that broadleaved woodlands under its care are not converted to conifer plantations after sales into private hands;

(2) what steps the Forestry Commission takes to ensure that broadleaved woodlands under its care are not sold to agricultural interests for clear-felling.

Mr. John MacKay

The Forestry Commission does not place constraints of this nature on the sale of broadleaved woodlands. However, apart from a number of statutory exceptions, the clear-felling of trees of more than 8 centimetres (3 in) in diameter requires a licence from the commission, whose policy rests on a general presumption in favour of broadleaved woodland normally being replanted with broadleaved trees after felling.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Forestry Commission's policy regarding public access to woods which are consequently sold into private ownership.

Mr. John MacKay

When a wood is sold by the Forestry Commission the question of public access is one for the new owner. Public rights of way are not affected by changes in ownership.