asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the reason only £144,000 of the £5.4 million in grants available for forestry under the western package had been taken up by the end of 1983.
Written Answers. - Western Package Scheme.
445.
The amount of grants payable under this scheme each year depends on the degree of planting undertaken. While I am not clear as to the basis for the figure of £5.4 million mentioned, it is true that the response to the scheme to date has been generally disappointing despite the attractive grants offered. In this context the absence of a strong private forestry tradition is no doubt a major contributory factor. The Department is continuing its efforts to publicise the scheme.