§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Forestry Commission's conservationists are given the discretion to refuse grant aid for forestry planting on sites of special scientific interest on the grounds that such planting would be harmful to the conservation interest of the site.
§ Mr. John MacKayI take it that my hon. Friend is referring to Forestry Commission's conservators.
The views of the Nature Conservancy Council are sought by the Forestry Commission on every application for grant aid for planting on sites of special scientific interest. When the Nature Conservancy Council objects in whole or in part to a proposal, and agreement cannot be reached between the council and the applicant, a decision on grant aid is taken not by the conservator but by the Forestry Commissioners.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what scientific nature conservation expertise the Forestry Commission has to enable it to make decisions on conservancy at forest district level over management of ancient semi-natural woodland which reconcile the nature conservation and forestry interests of such woodlands.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe Forestry Commission has many professional and technical officers at conservancy and forest district levels who have knowledge and understanding of nature conservation matters. They are backed up as necessary by specialist scientific advice both from the commission's own research and development division and from the Nature Conservancy Council. The commission is currently discussing with the Nature Conservancy Council the drawing up of guidelines for the management of ancient semi-natural broadleaved woodlands.