§ 33. Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of persons employed in the forestry service in 1989; how many acres were then in its administration; and what are the current figures. [34203]
§ Mr. KynochThe Forestry Commission employed 5,118 people and managed 1,144,000 hectares of land in 1989. It currently employs 3,646 people and manages 1,080,000 hectares of land.
§ 36. Mr. SweeneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to devolve forestry administration to local communities. [34206]
§ Mr. KynochWe recently announced a series of new measures to allow local communities to become involved in the management of woodlands. When the Forestry Commission offers woodlands for sale, local communities will be able to buy them at the valuation price where this will help to promote the social and economic development of the community. Some local communities have already entered into forestry partnerships with the commission, and this is a flexible way of increasing communities' participation in forest management. The commission has recently published a practical guide, "Involving Communities in Forestry", a copy of which is in the Library.