§ 73. Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government are taking to encourage sustainable development in areas of the world where tropical rain forests are at risk.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe Government support the FAO tropical forestry action plan and is a member of the 9W International Tropical Timber Organisation, both of which are concerned with the sustainable use and appropriate conservation of tropical rainforests.
Our expenditure on bilateral aid projects in the forestry sector has increased threefold to £13 million in 1986. We provide further support through technical co-operation, research programmes and the joint funding scheme.