§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual cost to the Forestry Commission for supervising hunting in the New Forest; and how many letters and petitions in favour of ending hunting in the New Forest the Forestry Commission has received in the last five years.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Forestry Commission does not keep a separate record of the cost of supervising hunting in the New Forest as the staff concerned cover a wide range of duties of which supervising hunting forms only a small part. However, the Commission's best estimate is that the costs last year, including staff and vehicle costs, were in the region of £11,000. In the last five years the Commission has received one petition and about 50 letters objecting to hunting in the New Forest.