§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what discussions the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had with the Forestry Commission about its decision to start selling Forestry Commission land in England and Wales again; what steps are being taken to ensure public access to such land; and how much land he expects to be sold in the current financial year.[14693]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 November 1997]There are no Commission forests being offered for sale in England. A moratorium on the sale of Forestry Commission forests was imposed immediately after the election. It is still in place. The Commission is, however, completing those sales which were agreed before the election. Wherever possible, the Commission offers to enter into access agreements with local authorities for every area of forest land that it sells. These agreements ensure that public access is protected in perpetuity.