§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to introduce additional taxes on the sale of tropical hardwoods; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 2 May 1991]: I have no present plans to do so. Deforestation is a global problem requiring a concerted response, rather than piecemeal imposition of taxes by individual nations. The environment White Paper includes a number of measures to promote sustainable development of the tropical timber industry.