Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Thursday, 27 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 February 2004. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 2004 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, by what means the policy for purchasing timber and timber products of (a) the Northern Ireland Office, (b) the Compensation Agency, (c) the Forensic Science Northern Ireland and (d) the Northern Ireland Prison Service ensures that they are obtained from legal and sustainable sources.

Answer: Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means the policy for purchasing timber and timber products of (a) the Northern Ireland Office, (b) the Compensation Agency, (c) the Forensic Science Northern Ireland and (d) the Northern Ireland Prison Service ensures that they are obtained from legal and sustainable sources. [141338] Mr. Paul Murphy: Timber purchased by the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies is obtained via contracts established by the Central Procurement Directorate. The directorate uses the National Building Specification (issued by NBS Services) as its standard technical specification for major construction projects and this has an optional timber procurement clause which is in line with central government policy. The directorate is in the process of adopting this clause for major works and will be introducing similar requirements for other specifications. Recent contracts for the purchase of wooden furniture have complied with the current Green Housekeeping guidance.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 141338; 417 c873-4W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Executive agencies Procurement Timber Northern Ireland Prison Service Northern Ireland Office Compensation Agency Forensic Science Northern Ireland
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk