§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the advice given by his Department in relation to tree planting in Strath Cuileannach, Sutherland, and its impact on agricultural activity.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 30 June 1992]: It is not the normal practice of my Department to publish correspondence relating to individual cases in the manner requested. However, the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department was consulted by the Forestry Commission about the proposals to develop a new native pinewood at Strath Cuileannach and decided not to object to the proposals, subject to certain conditions regarding the boundaries of the scheme affecting the land retained for sheep farming. That decision was taken in accordance with the procedures and criteria for the release of agricultural land for forestry announced by the then Secretary of State for Scotland, in reply to a question from myself, on 24 October 1989.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information is available to him from planting applications on the ownership of Strath Cuileannach, Sutherland.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 30 June 1992]: The application for grant aid for planting at Strath Cuileannach shows the land owned by Forest Farm Partnership.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by geographical area, the planting grants approved by the Forest Authority in each of the past three years.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 30 June 1992]: The areas of planting for which grants were paid in England, Wales and Scotland are shown in the Forestry Commission's 1989–90 and 1990–91 annual reports in table 2 of appendix XI in each case. Copies of these reports are available in the Library of the House. Similar information for 1991–92 will be included in the Commission's annual report to be published in the autumn. I have arranged for provisional figures for that year to be provided to the hon. Member and to be placed in the Library.