asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware that some owners wishing to take advantage of the Task Force Trees grant scheme may find it impossible to plant trees before 31st March because of the expense and difficulty of clearance and the sodden state of the ground (particularly on clay); and whether they are aware that March may be too late for the planting of certain varieties.

The special grant scheme launched immediately after the great storm was designed to apply only to the current financial year. I announced on 21st January (Official Report, col. 400) that the Countryside Commission will have additional sums available of £250,000 in the current financial year and almost £800,000 in 1988–89 to assist tree planting. The commission has stated that the bulk of the additional resources in the next financial year will be allocated to private landowners through its joint schemes with local authorities.