§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had, and plans to have, with the Malaysian Government regarding tropical rain forest management and the effects of forestry on the native tribal people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. and learned Friend has had no direct discussions with the Malaysian Government on this matter. However both the federal Government and the relevant state governments are aware of concerns expressed about the environmental and social effects of commercial logging. I understand that the state Government of Sarawak has worked with the Malaysian branch of the World Wildlife Fund to prepare a conservation strategy for the state to help protect the forests and their inhabitants; and that enabling legislation has been passed so that it can be put into effect.
The Malaysian branch of the World Wildlife Fund is moreover continuing to work with the state government in an advisory capacity on conservation in the environment. The British high commission in Kuala Lumpur has reported that both sides regard their cooperation as very useful. The federal Government, for their part, have recently sent a delegation to Europe, led by the Minister for Primary Industries, Dr. Lim Keng Yaik, to explain the management of Malaysian rain forests.
Both we and the Malaysians are members of the International Tropical Timber Organisation, whose objectives balance conservation with trade expansion and diversification.