§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department has taken to assist the export of softwoods by the UK softwood industry; and if he will make a statement. [77203]
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§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 23 March 1999]: My Department has had no requests for export assistance from the softwood industry. The Scottish softwood industry would, of course, be eligible for the range of export assistance available from Scottish Trade International, the Government's export agency in Scotland.
Scottish processors are the most important market for Scottish softwoods, buying almost 80 per cent. of the harvest. The remaining 20 per cent. goes to processors in other parts of the UK. There have been no sales of Scottish softwoods (or hardwoods) outside the UK for some years.