Written question asked by Huw Edwards (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 December 1999. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 December 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the sale of Forestry Commission forest land.

Answer: Mr. Edwards: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the sale of Forestry Commission forest land. [101370] Mr. Morley: We have stopped large scale sales of forest land by the Forestry Commission. Our policy is that the Commission may only sell agricultural land, land associated with houses and other buildings, unplantable land and relatively small and isolated blocks of forest land which do not make a significant contribution to its objectives and which are surplus to its requirements. The Commission may also sell areas for development where this is in the public interest. Areas of forest land which are important for public access will not be sold unless an access agreement is in place.

Secondary information