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Accommodation and Works Select Committee

Answer

Ms Walley: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what action was taken by his Committee to ensure that timber procured for the refurbishment of the Norman Shaw South building was sourced both (a) sustainably and (b) legally. [35680] Derek Conway: The General Specification used for parliamentary works contains the following clause: "Sources of timber: it is the employer's policy to purchase only timber and timber products from sustainably managed sources. When requested, the contractor must submit to the project manager documentary evidence (which has been or can be independently verified) that the timber supplied under this contract has been lawfully obtained from forests and plantations which are managed to sustain their bio-diversity, productivity and vitality and to prevent harm to other ecosystems and any indigenous or forest-dependent people. Such evidence may take the form of a certificate issued under a credible independent verification system, or such other documents which demonstrate the operation of an environmental management system incorporating forest management criteria that conform with internationally recognised principles such as the Helsinki guidelines." This clause was added in 2000 and has applied to all contracts drafted since then. The contract for the refurbishment of Norman Shaw South was agreed before then but the contractor is nevertheless supplying certification in line with the clause.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

35680; 380 c148W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Sustainable development Repairs and maintenance Timber Norman Shaw buildings

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk