§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the outcome of the initiative to export pulpwood from the United Kingdom to Scandinavia; what has been the volume increase of such exports over the past year; and if he will make a statement as to future prospects for such exports.
§ Mr. WigginI am satisfied with the speedy and effective development of export markets for pulpwood, which have increased from an annual average of under 50,000 tonnes in 1975–9 to about 230,000 tonnes in 1980. This is expected to further increase to about 525,000 tonnes in 1981. Although future prospects are good, exports are regarded as an interim measure pending the establishment of new wood-processing industries in Britain.