HC Deb 07 April 1976 vol 909 c187W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to the storage of existing quantities of dead elm wood as a future source of energy and warmth.

Mr. Strang

A great deal of consideration has been given to the properties and uses of elm as a timber but not to its use as a fuel, for which wood has a relatively low value. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has recently received a report from the Tree Council which contains the suggestion that poorer quality elm could be used as a fuel for social welfare. This might be feasible on a small scale, but the transportation and storage of elm for fuel on any large scale could be disproportionately expensive. The report is now being studied.