asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great and growing distress in the mining areas, the impossibility of absorbing more than a very small number of unemployed miners in general industry, and the fact that each unemployed person costs the country at least £60 a year, he will consider the possibility of increasing the afforestation programme already outlined?

The Government have already promised to ask Parliament to vote a provision for afforestation in the next 10 years exceeding by more than 50 per cent. the statutory sum provided in the first decennium. In addition, the Forestry Commission expect an increase of 100 per cent. in their revenue from forest products. I fear I can hold out no hope of any further increase in the financial provision.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the amount of the Tote will be?

I think it is £5,500,000.

Could not this expenditure be covered by means of a loan rather than out of the revenue, seeing that it is productive expenditure, and that all the experts declare that there will be a very great shortage of timber in the future?

That is entirely another question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage of the new opportunities will be provided for miners, in view of the unemployment that exists in many agricultural areas?

I cannot say without notice.