§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure the safety of coppice woodland from clearance for agriculture or replacement with conifers.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe felling of coppice of more than 15 centimetres (6in) in diameter requires a licence from the Forestry Commission. Such licences usually require that the land on which the felling takes place is to be managed in accordance with the rules and practice of good forestry in such a way as to secure its restocking by coppice regrowth.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that ancient semi-natural woodlands in Britain are not damaged or destroyed by the exploitation of the provision in the felling licensing regulations by which 30 cubic metres of timber may be felled per quarter without a felling licence.
§ Mr. John MacKayThis is a matter which is being considered in the context of the Forestry Commission's review of the policy for broadleaved woodlands, following the publication of the consultative paper "Broadleaves in Britain" earlier this year.