§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of the freedom to roam on any forestry land currently available in the forests and woods of Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsWe have no plans to change our policy of allowing "freedom to roam" on forestry land managed by the Forestry Commission. Arrangements have been in place since October 1991 to secure continued public access to Forestry Commission woodlands in the event of their disposal, through the commission offering local authorities the opportunity to enter into access arrangements prior to sale.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the value of the forests of the Forestry Commission in Wales.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe latest published valuation of the Forestry Commission's forests, as at 31 March 1992, included a figure of £632.8 million for its forests in Wales. An estimate of the value of the forests at 31 March 1993 will be published in the commission's annual report and accounts early in the new year, once the accounts have been examined and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General.