Written question asked by Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 26 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 June 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Forestry Division

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) terms of reference and (b) work programme of the Forestry Division in Northern Ireland are.

Answer: The information requested is as follows."(a) The Forestry Division was renamed the Forest Service in 1975 and became an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 1998. Its terms of reference, as stated in its Framework Document, are to deliver the government's policy in forestry through a programme of afforestation, sustainable management of existing forests, production and supply of timber, provision of public recreation and education, and protection and enhancement of the environmental value of forests.""(b) I refer the hon. Gentleman to a written ministerial statement which I made to the House today which contains the Ministerial Key Targets of the Forest Service for 2005–06. Copies of the Agency's Business Plan for the year have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses."

Secondary information