IMPORTED TIMBER AND TIMBER PRODUCTS

HL Deb 01 February 1977 vol 379 cc841-2WA

Lord CHELWOOD

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the c.i.f. cost of all imported timber and timber products in 1973, 1974 and 1975; what percentage this was of the nation's requirements; and what is their estimate of the cost (a) at today's prices, and (b) in fifty years' time assuming price increases of 5 per cent. per annum, if planting by the Forestry Commission and by private landowners remains at the average level of those three years.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

The c.i.f. costs of imported timber and timber products for the years 1973, 1974 and 1975 were £831 million, £1,039 million and £843 million respectively. Imports as a percentage of national requirements in these years were 92, 91 and 89 per cent. respectively. Estimates are not available of the level of imports in 50 years' time.

Note: Timber and timber products are defined as Standard International Trade Classification Divisions 24 (excluding Hdg 244—cork), 25 (excluding Hdg 251.1—waste paper) and 63 (Hdg 631 only).