Oral Answers to Questions

Jack Lopresti Excerpts

Thursday 5th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

4. How many trees the Government plan to plant during this Parliament.

[Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con)]

9. How many trees the Government plan to plant during this Parliament.

[Jeremy Quin (Horsham) (Con)]

12. How many trees the Government plan to plant during this Parliament.

--- Later in debate ---

[Elizabeth Truss]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The national forest has been a fantastic achievement. We are celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. It was put in place by the John Major Government in 1995. It is an incredible boost to tourism, but I completely agree that we need to see a mixed variety of woodland being planted, including many of our important native trees such as the oak, the ash and the beech. We also need to make sure those woodlands are managed, and thanks to the Grown in Britain campaign we are seeing more of our woodland under management.

[Jack Lopresti]

Does the Minister share my view that it is important for planning guidance to recognise the inherent interest in maintaining ancient woodland, and veteran trees in particular?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. Ancient woodland is of huge historical value to our country. It also provides very important soil that we will never get back if we lose it, as well as a huge variety of trees, and we are committed to protecting it in the planning system.