Hansard

Forestry Commission

Volume 977: debated on Wednesday 30 January 1980

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Mr. Frank R. White

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) in view of the inter-relationship between private and State forestry and the dangers that any reduction in the scope of the latter would bring to industries, such as the paper and board industries, which have invested heavily in plant and are now entirely dependent on assured, long-term supplies of domestic pulp wood, if he will ensure that no reductions are made in the size of the Forestry Commission's holdings;

  • (2) whether there is any intention of selling to the private sector part of the Forestry Commission; if so, if he will give an assurance that any land or trees involved would remain in British hands to safeguard the interests and the well-being of the United Kingdom paper and board industries dependent on such timber; and if he will make a statement;
  • (3) if, in view of Government policy to reduce public expenditure, he will give an assurance that any forests or land at present under the control of the Forestry Commission will not be disposed of or sold in any way that is detrimental to the pulp wood demands of the British paper industry; and if he will make a statement.

    • Mr. Wiggin

    Forestry Ministers are taking a look at policy in general but have made no decisions on the future role of the Forestry Commission or on the future management of its holdings. The circumstances of the British paper and board industries and their interest in assured long-term wood supplies from British forests are well understood and will be taken fully into account.