|
The purpose of the proposed Order is to enhance the powers of the Forestry Commissioners to enable them better to carry out their existing functions.
The proposed Order would give the Forestry Commissioners new powers in three main areas. First, to enter joint ventures with others, in order to provide recreational facilities within publicly owned forests. The Commissioners would be empowered to invest in and make loans to companies for these purposes, and to delegate to other persons the power to make charges in connection with recreational facilities provided on the public forest estate.
Second, the proposed Order would give the Commissioners the power to exploit their research commercially. The Commissioners already have specific powers to undertake research work in connection with forests, whether alone or in partnership with others.
Third, the proposal would also give the Commissioners new power to require restocking of felled trees without the person responsible for felling them first having been convicted of unlawful felling and to allow the Commissioners to enforce restocking requirements against persons other than freeholders.
The Committee considers that the proposal meet the tests laid down in the Regulatory Reform Act and would be beneficial and recommends that a draft Order in the same form as the proposal should be laid before the House.
| 
