Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: The number of men now employed by the Forestry Commission on full-time afforestation work in those Counties of Wales in which State forests are being established and the acreage being planted this season in each of those counties are as follow:
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: As I informed the hon. Member on 15th instant the Forestry Commissioners have submitted to the Industrial Transference Board their views as to the provision of additional forest-workers' holdings for unemployed miners. The additional programme is under discussion with the Board, and no further information can be given pending the issue of their Report, but meanwhile the Commissioners have...
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: I have been asked to reply. Martin's Pool Quarry referred to has been let for a term expiring in 1945, and it is not proposed to take steps to cancel the tenancy, but the lease provides that the lessees are not to use or allow anything to be done in the working of the quarry which shall, in the opinion of the Forestry Commissioners, interfere with the amenities of the neighbourhood, and every...
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: That is one of the questions that are now under discussion.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: The expansion of the Forestry Commission's planting programme has been suggested from time to time, but the operations of the Department are limited by the funds at their disposal. The Commissioners have submitted to the Industrial Transference Board their views as to the provision of additional forest workers' holdings for unemployed miners in the event of further funds being available.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: As a matter of fact the suggestions of the Industrial Transference Board to the Forestry Commissioners and the suggestions of the Forestry Commissioners to the Industrial Transference Board will be considered to-morrow.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: That is a hypothetical case. I should imagine if they feel satisfied they will take temporary measures.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: The Report on the survey of the 'woodlands of Great Britain will be published as soon as it is printed, probably during this month. There will be no delay.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: I think the cost in all these cases is reasonable.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: I shall be glad to answer the right hon. Gentleman. I can give him this pledge, that we have not the slightest intention of disturbing the tenants, unless on their own application.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: That point is a rather more complicated one, and really one with which the Forestry Commission have little or nothing to do. The quarrel really is between the owner of these sheep and the original owner of the land. The Forestry Commission obtained the land from the owner free of all encumbrances or tenancies, and, therefore, if there is any error or misunderstanding, it is really a question...
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: The hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) seems to have misunderstood the answer that I gave the other day. I was not looking at the matter from the purely Scottish point of view but from the national point of view. I still consider that timber is more valuable than sheep, because for one man employed on a sheep farm we could employ 10 men in the production of timber, and that would also save...
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: I have been asked to reply. The lands acquired by the Forestry Commission from Kintail Deer Forest include a portion of the Morvich grazings—
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: The lands acquired by the Forestry Commission from Kintail Deer Forset include a portion of the Morvich Grazings extending to approximately 1,000 acres. The number of sheep effeiring to that portion is not known, and it is not the present intention of the Commissioners to apply for resumption. Lienassie Farm has not been acquired. Ratagan Farm, including Moyle Hirsel, extends to 2,481 acres...
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: If the right hon. Gentleman will read my answer he will see that we state that it is not the present intention of the Commissioners to apply for resumption.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: I have said that at any rate it is not the present intention of the Commissioners to seek resumption. What the Commissioners may do in the future I cannot say.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: I have been asked to reply. According to the information available to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland and the Forestry Commission the areas of the deer forests referred to are as follow: Acres. Kintail (including Glen Lichd) 19,500 Dorisduan and Inverinate (Invernetdale) 22,000 Attadale 38,552 Arnisdale 8,000 Eilanreach 9,200 Glenshiel (including Belachassan) 30,055 The...
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: Obviously, that is a question which must be put down on the Paper. I cannot answer it off-hand.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: The survey is in preparation, but it is not complete.
Sir Charles Forestier-Walker: The land which we are planting does not affect smallholders. It is land which is available at the moment for planting purposes. Of course, the question of small holdings will have to be considered. We naturally do not want to turn people off small holdings, and as far as I know we have not done so.