§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of timber from sustainably managed forests. [9536]
§ Mr. Chisholm[holding answer 21 July 1997]: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced at the recent UN General Assembly special session that the Government are preparing a new forest standard to provide a benchmark for the management of our forests. The Forestry Commission will monitor achievement against that standard. This initiative will help assure consumers that timber grown in Britain comes from sustainably managed forests. In addition, we are working to promote sustainable forestry abroad through our development assistance programme.