HC Deb 20 July 1989 vol 157 c353W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what steps were taken to ensure that the plantation which supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street is operated on a sustainable basis;

(2) what steps were taken to ensure the area of the plantation which was cleared to supply the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street has now been replanted;

(3) which plantation supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street;

(4) who owns, and whether there is any British involvement in, the plantation which supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street.

The Prime Minister

Only about 25 cu ft of Brazilian mahogany is being used for refurbishment of the blue and white rooms at 10 Downing street, mainly for overdoor and other fine carvings for which it is the most suitable material. This is equivalent to about a quarter of one tree. The importer supplying the specialist joinery contractor undertaking the work has provided inspection certificates issued by the Brazilian Institute of Forest Development indicating that his sawn timber supplies are drawn from areas where officially approved programmes of forest enrichment are in force. This is a process of sustained management of mixed forests whereby mature trees are removed without damage to the remainder, and replaced by mahogany transplants in numbers which ensure that the density of hardwood in the forest is actually increased. The plantations in question are managed by Maginco Madeireira Araguaia S/A Ind Com e Agropecuaria and located at Fazenda Fontalina in the Rio Maria region. It is not known whether there is any British involvement.