Written question asked by Andy Reed (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 February 2000 on behalf of the Wales Office.

Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. - Including ref to Selling to the Welsh Office - A Green Guide for Suppliers of Goods and Services to the Welsh Office.

Answer: Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110216] Mr. Paul Murphy: All potential suppliers are issued with "Selling to the Welsh Office--A Green Guide for Suppliers of Goods and Services to the Welsh Office". Following devolution, this guide now applies to my Department, the Wales Office. The guide sets out what is expected from contractors who supply paper and timber products, among other things, and ensures that we operate a purchasing policy which gives full weight to environmental considerations in the procurement of all goods and services. The guide specifies that timber products should be supplied only from wood produced from sustainably managed forests. The current paper contract provides paper that is at least 80 per cent. post consumer waste, produced using Environmentally Chlorine Free pulp from sustainable forests.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 110216; 344 c847-8W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Environment protection Government departments Paper Sustainable development Timber Wales Office Forest products Forest Stewardship Council