Written question asked by Andy Reed (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 21 February 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source.

Answer: Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source. [110152] Yvette Cooper: The Forest Stewardship Council label is accepted by our buyers as demonstrating that timber and timber products have come from sustainably managed sources but it is not practicable to require that all paper and timber products purchased by the Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council because this might discriminate against any equally valid schemes and therefore be against public procurement rules.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 110152; 344 c779W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Environment protection Government departments Paper Sustainable development Timber Department of Health Forest products Forest Stewardship Council