ILLEGAL TIMBER

Early day motion 1307, tabled 14 May 2002 by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative). Signed by 73 members.

That this House recognises the importance of tropical rainforests in the balance of the global climate and is aware of the threat posed by illegal felling; believes that Britain should not be the recipient of illegally logged timber; further believes that all timber used in Government projects should be supplied from certified sustainable sources; notes that the timber used in the refurbishment of the Cabinet Office was from Cameroon for which no recognised certification scheme exists; is concerned that the Department for International Development has also recently installed rainforest timber in its property; and urges the Government to honour its pledges and cancel unsustainable timber contracts and to ensure that all suspect shipments are fully investigated and seized where appropriate.

Signatures by party: Conservative 52, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour 3, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.