HC Deb 24 November 1994 vol 250 cc345-6W
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for introducing a tendering system and locational supplements as parts of the woodlands grant scheme.

Sir Hector Monro

We will introduce a pilot system for inviting people to tender for the establishment of woodlands in the national forest. We will also introduce 40,785 a flat-rate locational supplement of £600 per hectare for appropriate woodland establishment schemes in priority areas within the central Scotland woodlands area, community forest areas in England which have had their business plans approved, Sherwood and Aman Gwendraeth in South Wales. These schemes will run for a pilot period of three years, starting with 1995–96. Full details will be announced in time for planting to take place in 1995–96.

Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Government's policy on the disposal of Forestry Commission woodlands, its target for the area of woodlands to be sold and its target for the amount of woodland sold for which public access should be protected by way of access agreements.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 23 November 1994]: The Government's policy on the disposal of Forestry Commission woodlands is set out at appendix VI of the commission's annual report for the year ended March 1990, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. When we announced this policy in 1989, we asked the Commission to dispose of 100,000 hectares of forestry land and properties in the period up to the end of the century. As noted in our public expenditure plans, the Commission intends to sell 15,000 hectares in each of the next three years. Every effort will be made to secure an access agreement for all woodlands which are sold.

Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by county all Forestry Commission woodlands sold since 1 January 1993, indicating those for which an access agreement was in place.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 23 November 1994]: A list, by county, of the Forestry Commission woodlands sold in 1993 is held in the Library of the House. A list of those woodlands sold in 1994 will be placed in the Library early next year. Of the woodlands sold by 30 September 1994, those listed below were subject to access agreements.

County Name of property
Derbyshire Birch Wood
Britton Wood
Kings Lot and Longway Bank
North Yorkshire Gateforth East
Moreby Wood
Sutton Wood
Clwyd Nant y Ffridd (part)
Nant y Ffridd (part)
Dyfed Allt y Gwydre
Court Wood
Factory Wood
Taldrum Wood
Tan y Lan
Ty'r Dopa
Gwent Graig Syddi
Powys Castlering
Granner Wood
Hilltop