§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to review the fiscal support or other subsidies currently given to both public and private upland afforestation projects; and whether the Government will now carry out a cost/benefit study of the planting programme of both the Forestry Commission and publicly supported private afforestation.
§ Mr. MooreNo. The existing tax arrangements for forestry are of long standing and I have at present no plans to change them. The Forestry Commission is required to meet financial targets laid down by Ministers which are regularly reviewed. A periodic review of grant levels under the commission's grant schemes is currently in progress and a major review of policy in relation to broadleaved woodlands is nearing completion.