§ Lord HYLTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps are being taken by the timber trade and timber-using industries to increase the consumption of home-grown elm, now available in large quantities as a result of elm disease, and whether Government public sector purchasing Departments are fully alive to the possibilities of the situation.
932WA
§ Lord STRABOLGIThe Forestry Commission has been actively pursuing consultation with the timber trade, Government Departments and nationalised industries aimed at increasing the market for elm. The Princes Risborough laboratory of the Department of the Environment and the Forestry Commission are preparing a new publication to draw attention to the possible uses of this high quality native hardwood. So far as the private sector is concerned, encouragement has been given to increase consumption, but in the final analysis it is a matter for decision by individual trades and industries. In the public sector, wood consuming authorities and nationalised industries have been urged to substitute elm wood wherever possible and to examine ways in which they can increase their uptake of elm. The National Coal Board have already made it known that they are prepared to increase their use of elm.