§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from local authorities concerning their powers to accept other than the lowest tenders for sea defence schemes constructed of tropical timber, in order that the timber can be obtained from sources that can be guaranteed to be sustainable and non-destructive of tropical rain forests; and what advice has been given to any such authorities.
§ Mr. RyderThere has been one occasion when a local authority has wished to accept a tender, which was other than the lowest submitted, utilising timber obtained from a sustainable source. On this occasion, it was possible for the purposes of Ministry grant aid to the scheme to agree to the council's wishes, as this was justified on both the longer-term durability and economic advantage of the preferred timber, and also on the grounds of ensuring, where possible, that timber is obtained from sustainable sources.