Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which areas of (a) Ministry of Defence and (b) armed services land is being used in relation to the tree planting programmes supported by the Government.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials are working closely with colleagues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Forestry Commission to ensure suitable MOD land is included within Government Programmes.

MOD officials are undertaking an extensive UK wide survey to establish how much potential land is available for woodland creation on its estate.

Site specific areas for new woodland are currently being finalised in Long-Term Forest Plans. MOD officials have identified potential tree planting opportunities across 25 UK sites, totalling some 750ha, potentially 1.5 - 2 million trees dependent on planting schemes.

Advanced planning work is already underway at Otterburn, Okehampton and Driffield Training Areas.