Mr. HomeRobertsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional funding is being made available for(a) that section of MAFF responsible for forestry in England, (b) the Scottish Executive and (c) the National Assembly for Wales in respect of (i) the decision not to proceed with the sale of cutting rights in Forestry Commission forests and (ii) the consequences of falling world timber prices on Forest Enterprise; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales are given access to support from the UK Treasury on a basis equivalent to what is proposed for the English part of the Forestry Commission, and that the extent of forestry in each country is taken into account. [137093]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Forestry Commission in England is a Government Department distinct from MAFF. Spending Review 2000 set provision for the Forestry Commission in England and its Great Britain core functions. The allocation of Spending Review 2000 provision for Scotland and Wales is a matter for the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales.
The Statement of Funding Policy published in July 2000 sets out the funding policies for the devolved Administrations.
The implications of the current income shortfall are being reviewed with the Forestry Commission, the Scottish Executive and National Assembly for Wales.