Forestry Act 1967

Advisory bodies

37 Committees to advise Commissioners.

(1) For the purpose of advising the Commissioners as to the performance of their functions under section 1(3) and Part II of this Act, and such other functions as the Commissioners may from time to time determine, the Commissioners shall continue to maintain—

(a) the central advisory committee for Great Britain known as the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee ; and

(b) a regional advisory committee for each conservancy (within the meaning of Part II of this Act) in Great Britain.

(2) In relation to the performance of their duty of promoting the establishment and maintenance in Great Britain of adequate reserves of growing trees, the Commissioners shall from time to time, and as a general rule not less than quarterly, consult with the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee; and the power of the Commissioners under section 32 of this Act to make regulations shall not be exercisable except after consultation with the said Committee.

(3) The Commissioners shall—

(a) in considering whether to refuse a felling licence under Part II of this Act, or to grant it unconditionally or subject to any conditions ; and

(b) in considering whether to give felling directions under the said Part II,

take into account any advice tendered by the regional advisory committee for the conservancy in which are growing the trees to which the felling licence applied for, or the directions proposed to be given, relate.

38 Composition etc. of advisory committees.

(1) The chairman and other members of the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee and of each regional advisory committee shall be appointed by the Commissioners, and shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of the instrument by which they are appointed.

(2) The Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee shall consist of not more than twenty-five members, and of those members (other than the chairman)—

(a) not less than six nor more than eight shall be persons appointed by the Commissioners after consultation with organisations appearing to them to represent the interests of owners of woodlands ; and

(b) not less than six nor more than eight shall be persons appointed by the Commissioners after consultation with organisations appearing to them to represent the interests of timber merchants.

(3) Each regional advisory committee shall consist of not .less than seven nor more than nine members, and of those members (other than the chairman) not less than four shall be persons appointed by the Commissioners after consultation with organisations appearing to them to represent the interests of owners of woodlands and timber merchants respectively and organisations concerned with the study and promotion of forestry.

(4) The Commissioners may pay to the members of the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee or of a regional advisory committee such allowances as they may with the consent of the Treasury determine.