§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number and area of broadleaved woodlands 258W which was clearfelled by the Forestry Commission on its own estate in each of the years 1982–83, 1983–84 and in the current year to date; and what was the number and area of these woodlands which have been or will be replanted (a) purely with broadleaves, (b) with broadleaves and conifers containing a majority of broadleaves, (c) with broadleaves and conifers containing a majority of conifers and (d) not replanted with trees.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe information is as follows:
Year 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 (to 31 December) Number of clearfellings 39 35 32 Total Area clearfelled (hectares) 133.1 122.9 77.3 (a) Replanted with broadleaves only Number of sites 31 22 18 Total Area (hectares) 93 54.7 33.6 (b) Replanted with broadleaves in the majority Number of sites 2 3 6 Total Area (hectares) 4.6 31 22.4 (c) Replanted with conifers in the majority Number of sites 5 9 7 Total Area (hectares) 27 31.2 20.3 (d) Not to be replanted Number of sites 1 0 1 Total Area (hectares) 8.5 0 1.0 The figures for replanting exclude one site of six hectares where low-grade broadleaves were felled and replaced by conifers in 1983–84.
In 19 of the 21 cases where broadleaves were felled and replaced by a mixture with conifers in the majority, the conifers were planted as a "nurse crop" to shelter the young broadleaved trees and will in due course be removed to leave broadleaved woods.
In the two cases where there was no replanting, the trees were felled to allow for public road schemes.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ask the Forestry Commission to meet the major voluntary conservation organisations to discuss the Broadleaves in Britain Review before 8 May 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe conduct of the "Broadleaves in Britain" review is a matter for the Forestry Commission. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to require the commission to hold discussions with any particular bodies.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and which broadleaved woodlands which were clearfelled under licence and converted to agriculture between 1982 and the present day were the subject of consultation with (a) the Nature Conservancy Council, (b) the Countryside Commission, (c) a National Park Authority and (d) the relevant local planning authority in each year.
§ Mr. John MacKayThis information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.