HC Deb 12 February 2002 vol 380 cc147-8W
Ms Walley

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how much has been spent on timber for the refurbishment of the Norman Shaw South building. [35681]

Derek Conway

The cost of timber to be supplied under the contract for the refurbishment of Norman Shaw South is some £80,000.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how much certified timber has been used in the refurbishment of the Norman Shaw South building; and what proportion of the total timber purchased for this refurbishment this represents. [35679]

Derek Conway

All the timber supplied for the refurbishment of Norman Shaw South is being certified as lawfully obtained from forests and plantations which are managed sustainably.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what action was taken by his Committee to ensure that timber procured for the refurbishment of the Norman Shaw South building was sourced both(a) sustainably and (b) legally. [35680]

Derek Conway

The General Specification used for parliamentary works contains the following clauseSources of timber: it is the employer's policy to purchase only timber and timber products from sustainably managed sources. When requested, the contractor must submit to the project manager documentary evidence (which has been or can be independently verified) that the timber supplied under this contract has been lawfully obtained from forests and plantations which are managed to sustain their bio-diversity, productivity and vitality and to prevent harm to other ecosystems and any indigenous or forest-dependent people. Such evidence may take the form of a certificate issued under a credible independent verification system, or such other documents which demonstrate the operation of an environmental management system incorporating forest management criteria that conform with internationally recognised principles such as the Helsinki guidelines.

This clause was added in 2000 and has applied to all contracts drafted since then. The contract for the refurbishment of Norman Shaw South was agreed before then but the contractor is nevertheless supplying certification in line with the clause.