§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many broadleaved woodlands have been notified as areas of special scientific interest in Northern Ireland; and how many tree preservation orders exist covering areas of broadleaved woodland, rather than individual trees.
§ Mr. NeedhamI shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the latest estimates of the extent of (a) forest service and (b) privately owned broadleaved woodlands in Northern Ireland; and when those estimates were made.
§ Mr. NeedhamIt is estimated that there are 1,100 hectares of pure broadleaved woodland on forest service land and a further 4,100 hectares of mixed broadleaf-conifer plantations. This estimate was made in 1986.
It is estimated that there are 7,000 hectares of privately owned pure broadleaved woodland and a further 2,400 hectares of mixed broadleaf-conifer plantations. This estimate was made in 1987.
§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much broadleaved woodland has been felled in Northern Ireland in each year since 1980; and what proportions of this have been (a) restocked with broadleaves, (b) planted with conifers, (c) converted to agriculture and (d) lost to road, urban or industrial development.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe following areas of broadleaved woodland have been felled on forest service land in Northern Ireland.
3W
hectares 1981 5.9 1982 0.5 1983 1.4
hectares 1984 4.2 1985 5.7 1986 5.9 All of the above areas were restocked with broadleaves, none was planted with pure conifers, none converted to agriculture or lost to roads etc.
The Department does not keep similar records in respect of the private sector.