§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportions of the United Kingdom's timber consumption have been (a) home grown and (b) imported in each of the past 10 years; and whether he has any plans to change this relationship.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe information requested—apart from data for 1971 which are not available—is as follows:
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United Kingdom consumption of Timber: Proportions Home Grown & Imported, Percentages Home Grown Imported 1970 8 92 1971 n.a. n.a.
Home Grown Imported 1972 8 92 1973 7 93 1974 8 92 1975 10 90 1976 9 91 1977 10 90 1978 10 90 1979 9 91 The relationship in the table above will change to the extent that by the turn of the century, timber production from our existing forests is likely to meet up to 15 per cent. of our needs despite an expected rise in consumption. Looking further ahead, the plans outlined in the Government statement on forestry policy of 10 December 1980 provide the basis for continued expansion of forestry in Britain and should lead to a further increase in the proportion of our total timber requirements that can be met