Trees Mr. Simon Hughes To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those species of tree which currently provide a significant proportion of tree cover in the United Kingdom, estimating for each species what proportion of tree cover is provided; and if he will make a statement. Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 2 June 1992]: The proportion of each tree species in United Kingdom woodlands are as follows: ------------------- |Species | ------------------- |Broadleaves || ------------------- |Oak | ------------------- |Birch | ------------------- |Ash | ------------------- |Beech | ------------------- |Sycamore | ------------------- |Other broadleaves| ------------------- |Sitka spruce | ------------------- |Scots pine | ------------------- |Lodgepole pine | ------------------- |Larch | ------------------- |Norway spruce | ------------------- |Other conifers | ------------------- Mrs. Mahon To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage area of Britain is covered by forest and woodland currently; and what is his forecast for the year 2000. Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 2 June 1992]: Some 10·3 per cent. of Britain is currently covered by forest and woodland. This is expected to increase to about 11 per cent. by the year 2000. Mr. Corbyn To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total acreage in each county of evergreen forest and deciduous forest for each of the last 15 years; and if he will make a statement. Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 2 June 1992]: The latest year for which information is available on areas of woodland by county is 1980. This is given in Forestry Commission Bulletin 63, Census of Woodlands and Trees 1979–82, a copy of which is in the Library.This information is not available for any other period in the last 15 years, but the total areas of woodland by country, divided between conifers and broadleaves, has been published each year by the Forestry Commission in "Forestry Facts and Figures". These figures are given in the table.---------- | | ---------- |England ||||| ---------- |Scotland||||| ---------- |Wales ||||| ---------- Mr. Corbyn To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of (a) deciduous and (b) evergreen trees planted in the United Kingdom for each of the last 10 years; and if he will give his estimate of the number felled. Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 2 June 1992]: No record is kept of the number of trees planted, although an estimate can be made from the areas of conifers and broadleaves planted or grant-aided by the Forestry Commission over the last 10 years. These are as follows: -- || -- Information is available on the volume of timber felled each year, but it is not possible to convert this into an estimate of the number of trees felled. However, when granting permission for tree felling the Forestry Commission normally requires that the trees are replaced. Mr. Simon Hughes To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to use market instruments to encourage preservation and planting of native wildwoods in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. Sir Hector Monro [holding answer 2 June 1992]: In accordance with the Government's policy, the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme offers grants to private owners for the management and extension of native woodlands. Management grants were introduced from 1 April this year and include a special rate for ancient and semi-natural woodlands.