I CANNOT help admiring Councillor Diana Edwards for her loyalty to her leader, but feel that only those who were on the deputation to the Lords having attended the preparatory meetings are entitled to comment on his behaviour.

The Forest of Dean Liberal Democrats have made a conscious decision not to make political declarations about the Government's proposals for the forests as we know that the HOOF movement is not politically driven. However it has become clear that we need to state our position.

We support the principles of the HOOF movement and believe that the complex priv-and rights afforded to people of the Forest of Dean in particular are best prot-by conti-the present arrangement with the Forestry Commission. The Forestry paragraphs in the Public Bodies Bill in effect give the Secretary of State the power to do whatever they choose with the publicly-owned forests. Following the present consultation this Government can make all the promises it likes about protecting the forests. However once the break with the Forestry Commission is made no one can be sure whether future governments will uphold those promises.

Local Lib Dems have been busy contacting Members of Parliament and the Lords to explain the position and argue the case. Let us hope that the Government and our MP will be swayed by public opinion and see that their proposals are not as straight forward as they seem to think they are.

Councillor Sue Henchley

Chairman Forest of Dean Liberal Democrats