Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to depart from the principles laid down in the Illingworth report in respect of rents charged to New Forest commoners; and if he will make a statement.

The principles set out in the report of the working party on grazing in the New Forest, commonly referred to as the Illingworth report, are now more than 25 years old. The Forestry Commission has, over the past 25 years, done more than anyone to aid commoning through its policies on land and property leases. This includes substantial public subsidy on the basis of the benefits to commoning and maintaining the traditions of the New Forest. The Forestry Commission is initiating a review of its policies on land and property leases in the New Forest. This would include consultation with interested parties in the New Forest. I expect the Forestry Commission to work with those with an interest and present their findings and any planned changes in approach to Ministers for approval.