HC Deb 04 February 1985 vol 72 cc428-9W
Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those organisations which the Forestry Commission proposes to invite to its seminar on the "Broadleaves In Britain" consultation paper on 9 May in Edinburgh; and when he will make a policy statement on forestry policy with respect to broadleaved woodlands.

Mr. John MacKay

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 24 January 1985 which provided details of those organisations invited to the Forestry Commission seminar on 8 May 1985. The following bodies have since been added to the list of inviteesNational Farmers' Union of Scotland National Trust for Scotland Scottish Landowners' Federation.

Forestry Ministers hope to be in a position to make a policy statement on broadleaved woodlands before the summer recess.

Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Forestry Commission has to extend consultation over felling licences with the Nature Conservancy Council from sites of special scientific interest to include other broadleaved woodlands.

Mr. John MacKay

The Forestry Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council are discussing, in the context of the consultative paper on broadleaves in Britain, the drawing up of guidelines for the management of broadleaved woodlands of various categories. The adoption of such guidelines is considered to be preferable to extending consultation to cover broadleaved woodlands outside sites of special scientific interest.