§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that afforestation projects involve the planting of indigenous, ecologically important species of trees.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 10 December 1990]: The Forestry Commission normally requires a proportion of the trees in any afforestation project under the woodland grant scheme to be broadleaved, and these are often indigenous species. Higher rates of planting grant are available for broadleaved trees and last year over 75 per cent. of the trees planted under the farm woodland scheme and nearly 25 per cent. of all the trees planted 374W under the woodland grant scheme were broadleaved. In Scotland, the Forestry Commission has special grants to encourage the establishment of new native pinewoods.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will encourage the development of natural woodland by a process of long-term set-aside of land for colonisation by indigenous trees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 10 December 1990]: Through the woodland grant scheme, the Forestry Commission encourages the owners of suitable land to set aside areas for the natural regeneration of indigenous trees. Grants are available for this purpose under the scheme.