26 NOVEMBER 1977, Page 20

Forest of Dean

Sir: Mr Brian Cave's concern for the Forest of Dean (Letters 29 October) does nnt absolve him from checking the facts. The Ministry of Agriculture has nO responsibility, ultimate or otherwise, for the administration of the Forest. All the refererices to the Ministry in his letter of 29 October (The Ministry will not listen • The Ministry has not cared • . etc) are therefore wide of the mark.

The Government body responsible the management of the Forest of Dean an° , the for advising the Forestry Ministers is Forestry Commission, as was made plain t° Mr Troup's letter of 8 October.

L. E. E. Jeanes Chief Information Officer Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Whitehall Place, London SW1