§ 1991. Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much land has been sold by the Forestry Commission in each year since 1989; and what was the amount of revenue raised thereby;
(2) if he will list the areas of land, planted and unplanted, which have been sold by the Forestry Commission in (a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c)
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe information is as follows:
Area of land sold (hectares) Year ended 31 March Planted Unplanted Total Receipts (£ million) 1989 3,786 3,889 7,675 12.6 1990 4,509 3,342 7,851 13.0 1991 3,273 4,155 7,428 12.1
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what safeguards for the rights of access are normally incoporated into the terms of sale of land by the Forestry Commission.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Forestry Commission gives advance notice to local authorities of intended disposals of woodlands under its management, and offers to enter into legal agreements with them which will provide for continued public access to the woodlands after sale.
The Forestry Commission has drawn up guidelines on these arrangements, in consultation with the countryside commissions and the local authority associations, a copy of which is in the Library.