§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of the Forestry Commission with regard to the rent and accommodation of(a) employees in general and (b) forest keepers.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 22 February 1988]: In common with Government Departments generally, the Forestry Commission charges its employee tenants a "fair rent" in the spirit of the Rent Acts. Where, for management reasons, it is necessary for an employee to live in a particular commission house (a "key house") a standard rent is charged in accordance with the Civil Service pay and conditions code. The Commission's policy on accommodation is to retain only key houses and houses in locations where no alternative accommodation is available. Forest keepers in the New Forest are treated in the same way as other commission employees.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average rent charged on accommodation provided for Forestry Commission forest keepers at the latest available date; and what has been the figure on the same date for each of the last five years.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 22 February 1988]: The information is as follows:
Year (at 1 December) Average Weekly Rent Charged £ 1983 11.56 1984 11.56 1985 13.09 1986 13.09 1987 24.75 The rents for 1983 to 1986 were "standard rents" determined on the basis of Civil Service rules. The 1987 rent represents a full "fair rent".