§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what circumstances the Forestry Commission requires an environmental assessment of a forestry proposal to convert native woodland or scrub into plantations of non-native trees.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Environmental Assessment (Afforestation) Regulations 1988 apply only to new planting. Proposals to convert existing woodland or scrub would therefore not require an environmental assessment.
Under the Government's broadleaved policy, woodland which is now broadleaved is expected to remain so, and special attention is given to ancient semi-natural broadleaved woodlands to ensure continuance of their special features.
§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the rates of return on investment achieved by each conservancy of the Forestry Commission for its commercial forestry holdings at the time of the last quinquennial review; what was the date of that review; and if he will explain the costing depreciation and accounting proceedures used in making his assessment of return.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe last quinquennial review was undertaken by the Forestry Commission as at 31 March 1987. The rates of return on new planting and restocking for each conservancy are listed in special note 3 of the financial statements and accounts published in the Forestry Commission's 67th annual report and accounts 1986–87, copies of which are in the Library. The Forestry Commission's accounting policies are explained in note I to these accounts.