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Public Forest Estate (England)

I am not giving way to the right hon. Gentleman because he has only just come into the Chamber. The Forestry Commission will have its role altered over time, as this period transpires. We want it to concentrate on regulation, advice and research, and on promoting the wider planting of trees. Let us not forget that the under the last five years of the Labour Government, tree planting in this country fell by 60%. A number of hon. Members referred to the Forest Stewardship Council. I can assure the House—I am happy to give this guarantee—that the council's certification scheme will remain a condition if we transfer any forests that are currently subject to it, as they all are. My hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman) understandably wanted assurances and called the issue of access ““a deal-breaker””. I can assure him—I promise him—that access as it currently exists will be guaranteed. I cannot make it any clearer than that.