§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will ensure that paper and timber products556W purchased by his Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source; [110158]
(2) what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110157]
§ Dr. MoonieIn line with the recommendations of a recent Government-wide review, it is my Department's policy to procure timber and timber products only from sustainable sources and, in the case of tropical hardwood, to require independent verification of those sources. The scheme operated by the Forest Stewardship council is one of a number of available verification schemes mentioned in the DETR's Green Guide for Buyers. Where practicable, the use of reclaimed timber or timber products is also considered. Guidance on the use of paper is set out in the Ministry of Defence's Environmental Manual (JSP 418) and will be reviewed as part of the implementation of the Department's corporate Environmental Management System. A copy of JSP 418 has been placed in the Library of the House.