§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Forestry Commission has plans to offer for sale any further areas of land in Sutherland and Caithness.
§ Mr. John MacKay[pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1987, c. 384]: Not at present, but several areas are being considered for possible sale.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to ensure that the Forestry Commission gives conservation organisations first refusal when offering for sale parcels of land in areas of high conservation interest; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKay[pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1987, c. 384]: Conservation organisations are given preference of opportunity to purchase parcels of land offered for sale by the Forestry Commission in areas of high conservation interest, provided they are able to obtain sponsorship from the appropriate Government Department or agency. This involves the Department or agency certifying that the sale of the land to the organisation concerned, to the exclusion of the public at large, would be particularly in the public interest.