asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order to encourage the dedication of private woodlands, he will consider allowing maintenance and planting grants to be made as from the date on which the owner originally stated his readiness to dedicate.

No, Sir. The mere expression of readiness to dedicate cannot be held to entitle an owner to grants under the dedication covenant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that very great delay is often due to clerical causes over which the owner has no control?

I am not too sure about that, but in any case it is doubtful whether we could make a grant merely because the man said he might dedicate at some future date.