Written question asked by Geraint Davies (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 November 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 November 1997. It was answered by Marjorie Mowlam (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 1997 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has for the future organisation of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture.

Answer: Mr. Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for the future organisation of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture. [14838] Dr. Mowlam: As my colleague the Minister with responsibility for this matter, Lord Dubs, announced in another place on 16 October in reply to a question from baroness Nicol, Official Report, House of Lords, column 200, following consideration of a Prior Options Study, which was announced to Parliament on 7 March 1995, the Government have decided that the Forest Service should become a Next Steps Agency and that preparations should proceed with a view to agentisation with effect from 1 April 1998. The Forest Service is responsible for the implementation of Government forestry policy within Northern Ireland and performs broadly the same functions as the Forestry Commission in Great Britain. Agency status will give the service more flexibility in its commercial operations and in the delivery of Government forestry objectives.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 14838; 300 c205-6W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Executive agencies Forestry Northern Ireland Efficiency scrutinies Department of Agriculture (Northern Ireland Office) Forest Service