asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are plans to expand recreational facilities in the Forest of Dean.
Continuing improvements are planned to existing facilities, including the provision of small car parks. The Forestry Commission also proposes to form a lake on a site yet to be decided and, subject to planning permission, to construct a picnic site at Edgehills.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the revenues obtained from the recreational facilities in the Forest of Dean in 1977, 1976 and 1975.
The gross revenues from those facilities on which a commercial return is required are as follows:
| £ | |
| 1975–76 | 56,900 |
| 1976–77 | 68,900 |
| 1977–78 | 31,800 |
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people used the recreational facilities in the Forest of Dean in 1977, 1976 and 1975.
Precise figures are available only for overnight campers and these are:
| 1975–76 | 156,040 |
| 1976–77 | 197,862 |
| 1977–78 | 193,730 |
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of men employed in the Forest of Dean by the Forestry Commission.
The number has remained fairly stable over the past three years and at present is 127. This figure includes a small number of contractors.
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value of wood cut in the Forest of Dean in 1977, 1976 and 1975.
The values were:
| £ | |
| 1975–76 | 442,100 |
| 1976–77 | 610,200 |
| 1977–78 | 701,000 |