asked the Minister for Lands whether he will state the acreage of land (i) already on hand at the start of the current year for afforestation purposes, and (ii) acquired for the purpose during the current year; and, further, if he will give an indication as to the price he intends to pay for such lands in the future so that owners of land suitable for forestry purposes will be likely to offer it for State development.
Written Answers. - Land for Afforestation Purposes.
The acreage in the hands of the forestry division at the beginning of this year was 192,790 acres, and from the 1st January to 30th September 1,437½ acres have been acquired.
The price to be paid for land for forestry purposes depends upon its suitability for timber production. At the moment I am in consultation with the Minister for Finance on the question of having the Department placed in a position to pay somewhat higher prices than in the past. I want to make it quite clear, however, that it is not intended in any case to pay for land more than its value for forestry purposes.