Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is still their view that owners of commercial woodlands in South-East England should have been insured against storm damage, what account they have taken of the unsatisfactory wording of the policies available before 1980, and whether they will now reconsider their decision not to grant-aid clearance.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)The Government take the view that it would have been prudent for owners of commercial woodlands to insure them against storm damage. I understand that suitable forms of policy, typically giving cover against loss by fire or by storm, were available.
My noble friend is aware from another Answer that I gave to him on 11th April that owners of commercial woodlands destroyed by last October's storm will be able to claim tax relief, under the present rules, on the cost of clearance and on the cost of restocking, unless restocking is carried out with the benefit of the higher grants on offer under the new Woodland Grant Scheme. The Government are still considering whether further measures to help woodland owners would be justified.