asked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what will be the approximate stock of seedlings in the Commission's nurseries at the end of the present planting year; whether it is anticipated that they will have any stock surplus to requirements in the near future and whether it is intended to destroy any large proportion of these?

The approximate stock in the Forestry Commission's nurseries at the end of the present planting season will be 80,000,000 seedlings and 156,000,000 transplants. It is anticipated that the Commission will have 11,000,000 seedlings and 25,000,000 transplants surplus to requirements in the near future. Re-adjustment of the planting programme may possibly entail the destruction of 3,000,000 seedlings and 4,000,000 transplants.