THERE have been many statements emanating from MPs about the sale of Forestry Commission properties. In particular, the Royal Forest of Dean, whose residents are very concerned about such proposals – witness the gathering last Bank Holiday Monday.

Both Minister Jim Paice and Mark Harper, MP for the Forest, say there is no threat to the existence of the Forest and seem to think they have been misunderstood.

The Government says wait until the White Paper on the subject before you voice an opinion. Unfortunately, the MPs have lost the trust of the majority of the population over the last few years, who are reluctant to accept bland statements.

However, the point of the exercise is to raise money and to divest the Government of its responsibility to maintain these areas for the enjoyment of the population as a whole.

Who or what organisation would be prepared to take on the function of the Forestry Commission and not make a profit from it?

It seems that the Coalition has taken a doctrinaire approach in proposing the Big Society, which will put the clock back to Victorian times before governments began to interest themselves in the well-being of ordinary people and are using the budget deficit as an excuse to implement their outdated policies.

Michael E Bramwell

Viney Hill