§ 25. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes he expects to make in regard to forestry policy in the United Kingdom during the next five years.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonForestry policy will continue to be reviewed from time to time. However, I cannot anticipate the outcome of any future reviews.
§ 34. Mr. Keyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to increase afforestation in the United Kingdom in order to reduce reliance on imported timber and encourage diversification in the rural economy.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAs announced to the House by my right hon. Friend, the Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling), on 9 February 1987, at column 70, the target for new forestry planting has been raised to 33,000 hectares a year, and planting is being encouraged through the grant schemes administered by the Forestry Commission and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. My right hon. Friend also announced the intention to introduce a farm woodland scheme to encourage farmers to plant trees on some of their land.