An Open letter to Mark Harper MP.
May I ask you to confirm that you will press the Secretary of State and your colleagues in Government to ensure:
a. that the panel's terms of reference will include an option to retain forests and woodlands in public ownership and under the management of the Forestry Commission.
b. that in addition to representatives of key environmental and access organisations and the forestry industry there be included on the panel representatives from the Forestry Commission, such campaigning groups as HOOF and Friends of Sherwood Forest and verderers.
c. that after the panel has reported, a White Paper and a Green Paper will be published to afford a proper, nationwide debate of the Government's proposals and the intended Bill,
d. that the Bill be a Forestry Bill and that the Government's proposals be dealt with by way of primary legislation (as they were in 1981) and not by means of Henry VIII clauses.
In addition, although she made no mention of it in her statement to the Commons, Mrs Spelman, in answer to questions, stated that the planned 15% sales (for which no legislative change was required) will be suspended pending the panel's report. Can you confirm this please?
Alan Robertson
St Briavels