§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps(a) have 373W been taken and (b) are planned by her Department to increase the number of trees planted in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [64786]
§ Mr. MorleyForestry is a devolved matter. Our Forestry Strategy sets out our strategic priorities and programmes for forestry in England. Achieving a re-expansion of woodland cover is a key aim of that strategy, and is also one of our indicators of sustainable development.
We give grants for planting new woodland under the farm woodland premium scheme and the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme. We also provide support for new planting in the National Forest and the Community Forests. Over the seven year period of the England Rural Development Programme our target is to create 30,000 hectares of new woodland.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with Trees for London; and if she will make a statement. [64794]
§ Mr. MorleyI have not had any discussions with Trees for London.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial support for tree planting has been given by her Department in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [64785]
§ Mr. MorleyFinancial support for tree planting is made under the farm woodland premium scheme (FWPS) and its predecessor the farm woodland scheme (FWS); the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme (WGS): and the National Forest company (NFC) tender scheme.
Payments are as follows:
£ million FWPS/FWS WGS NFC 1997–98 4.726 8.985 1.418 1998–99 5.368 10.921 1.365 1999–2000 5.856 11.596 1.869 2000–01 6.060 10.821 1.994 2001–02 7.659 10.833 2.237