§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage chemical and medical companies to identify beneficial uses of flora in tropical rain forests; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Douglas Hogg[holding answer 17 May 1990]: My Department is taking no such steps. However such companies will no doubt have noted the recent conference on the rain forest harvest organised earlier this month at the Royal Geographical Society which highlighted such opportunities.