§ Mr. NormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the country of origin of trees planted on its land and that of its agencies. [124633]
§ Mr. SpellarConservation is a key element in the Ministry of Defence's stewardship of its woodland and the Defence Estates Agency employs full-time professional foresters who manage this process on Ministry of Defence land. Woodland planning includes a study of the local habitat, the soil and the environmental impact of any planting. Wherever possible, species indigenous to the soil are planted, often using seeds collected on the Defence estate.