§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received concerning the large scale sale of Forestry Commission-owned forests.
§ Mr. RifkindSince 1 July 1986, my right hon. and learned Friend and his colleagues in the Scottish Office have received nine letters on various aspects of the Forestry Commission's sales programme.
§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1)if he will ask the Forestry Commission to consult the Scottish Development Department on the protection of ancient monuments and historic sites;
(2) if he will make it his policy to prevent ancient monuments being lost through forest planting schemes.
§ Mr. RifkindThe present procedures for safeguarding ancient monuments and historic sites against loss or damage by forestry planting schemes are being examined jointly by the Scottish Development Department and the Forestry Commission to see whether improvements can be made.
§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on Government policy concerning the sale of Forestry Commission-owned forests in the Borders region;
(2) if he will make it his policy to conduct full inquiries into the social, economic and environmental implications of any proposal to sell off Forestry Commission-owned forests in the borders region.
§ Mr. RifkindThe main purpose of the sale of land by the Forestry Commission, in the Borders region and elsewhere, is to enable the commission to rationalise its estate with a view to improving its efficiency and the commercial effectiveness of the forestry enterprise. It is the forestry commissioners who select the land to he sold, taking account of ministerial guidelines which include factors of the kind the right hon. Member has in mind. These guidelines were set out in appendix V to the commissioners' 62nd annual report (1981–82), copies of which are in the Library of the House.