ILLEGAL TIMBER

Early day motion 48, tabled 26 November 2003 by Caroline Spelman (Conservative). Signed by 66 members.

That this House recognises the importance of tropical rainforests in the balance of the global climate; notes 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 installed rainforest timber in its property last year; and urges the Government to honour its pledges and cancel unsustainable timber contracts and ensure that all suspect shipments are fully investigated and seized where appropriate.

Signatures by party: Conservative 58, Liberal Democrat 3, UUP 2, Independent Conservative 1, Labour 1, Plaid Cymru 1.