§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the timetable is for reviewing and reappointing the Forestry Commission as the agency for managing the Crown Lands of the New Forest; and if she will make a statement. [3758]
(2) if she will make a statement about the ownership of the New Forest. [3759]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Crown Lands of the New Forest were transferred from the Commissioners of Woods to the Forestry Commissioners in 1924. Ownership was then passed to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the Forestry Act 1945, which also placed the Crown Lands at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners. The Commissioners have therefore managed the Crown Lands continuously since 1924 and there is no need to reappoint them. We have no plans to review this.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the powers available to the Forestry Commission to restrict and impose conditions upon access to the New Forest and the statutory provisions which govern their use. [4099]
635W
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 19 July 2001]: The Forestry Commissioners manage the New Forest using the powers granted by the Forestry Act 1967, Countryside Act 1968 and the New Forest Acts of 1870, 1879, 1949, 1964 and 1970. These Acts also give the Commissioners powers to restrict and impose conditions upon access to the New Forest.