Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have (a) policies on (i) encouraging tree planting and (ii) managing trees on their land and (b) guidelines on authorisation for the removal of trees.

The policy for woodland management is held centrally within the Ministry of Defence (MOD). There is no separate Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force policy. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is responsible for woodland management on the Defence Estate. The Department's objective is to establish new woodland and develop existing woodland in direct support of military training.

MOD Officials are working closely with colleagues at the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Forestry Commission (FC) to ensure MOD land is included within Government tree planting programmes.

All tree felling is assessed and authorised through the FC and MOD unless there is a specific military need or a significant health and safety requirement.