asked the Minister for Energy the total acreage of lands purchased for forestry purposes which has been acquired by his Department since 10 March, 1987; if his Department are at present purchasing lands for forestry purposes; the amount of lands he intends to purchase from 1 January, 1988 to the end of this year; and if he has satisfied himself that he has sufficient allocation of money to purchase lands.
Written Answers. - Forestry Lands.
56.
A total of 10,470 acres of land has been acquired by my Department for forestry purposes in the period 10 March, 1987, to date.
My Department are continuing to purchase land for this purpose and it is hoped that some 12,300 acres will be acquired during 1988 from both future negotiations and from the completion of agreements currently being processed.
I am satisfied that the 1988 allocation for land will permit the acquisition of sufficient lands which, when added to those lands already being processed, will enable us to maintain our planting target.