§ 85. Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of his Department's policies towards protecting trees from the effects of pollution.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe surveys carried out by the Forestry Commission are giving us information about the state of health of trees, but do not tell us whether any effects observed are the result of pollution. The Department is supporting research into possible mechanisms by which air pollution might damage trees. The most recent authoritative advice, from the Department's terrestrial effects review group, is that some trees are exposed to pollution levels which may be expected to cause stress. Research will continue in order to establish whether there is any threat to the long-term health of trees. The Department also funds the arboricultural advisory and information service located at the Forestry Commission's research station at Alice Holt, which gives a wide range of advice to local authorities and others on tree matters.