§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance he has given the Forestry Commission on maintaining public access after the sale of Forestry Commission land; and if he will make a statement. [96960]
§ Mr. MorleyWe stopped large-scale sales of forest land managed by the Forestry Commission when we took up office in 1997. The Commission is, however, still able to sell relatively small and isolated blocks of forest land which do not make a significant contribution to its objectives and are surplus to requirements. Forest land which is important for public access will not be sold unless the Commission has secured a public access agreement with the local authority, which is binding on all subsequent owners of the land.