HC Deb 24 March 1988 vol 130 cc201-2W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will be taking any additional steps to monitor the amount of felling now that woodland profits are to be free of tax.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The felling of trees in Great Britain is controlled by the Forestry Commission in exercise of its powers under the Forestry Act 1967. Adequate arrangements are already in place for monitoring felling.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made as to whether felling licences will be sufficient to smooth the realisation of woodland profits in the light of the Budget tax proposals.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

My right hon. and learned Friend is not aware of any reason why consideration of felling licence applications should be influenced by the changes in forestry taxation announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.