§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the incidence of St. Helenian ebony; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonSt. Helenian ebony, one of roughly 40 endemic species on the island, was presumed extinct for more than a century until it was discovered in November 1980. It has since been successfully propagated both by the island's Forestry Department and at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Conservation of endemic flora is one element of a five year forestry project which was approved earlier this year. One of the long-term objectives of the project is re-afforestation of eroded areas. Trials have indicated that ebony and other endemic species can contribute towards this. In the past two years, more than 1,100 ebonies have been planted on the island.