To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to his Department's report of 18 February 2008, on Trees in Towns II, what assessment he has made of the average cost to his Department of planting a tree as part of a municipal tree planting programme; and whether his Department plans to commission follow-up research. (314976)

“Trees in Towns II” did not assess the cost of planting trees. The planting of trees is a matter for each local and highway authority. There are no plans to commission follow-up research.