§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the National Audit Office have recently had carried out a study of the economics of forestry and, if so, whether they will place a copy of this report in the Library.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)Her Majesty's Government has no responsibility for the choice or conduct of studies undertaken by the National Audit Office, which are entirely matters for the Comptroller and Auditor General.
I understand from the Comptroller and Auditor General that an examination of the economics of forestry is currently being undertaken by the National Audit Office, but it will be for the Comptroller and Auditor General to decide when and how to report the conclusions to Parliament.