§ Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to control the destruction for agricultural purposes of woodlands in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
§ Mr. John MacKaySince April 1984 the Forestry Commission, in considering applications for felling licences in areas of outstanding natural beauty and elsewhere, has operated a general presumption against the felling of woodland for the purpose of converting the land to agricultural use. No licence is granted for this purpose without the environmental impact of such felling being considered fully under the commission's consultation procedures.