The government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs department is considering extending its timber procurement policy to cover minor building works overseas.

In a written question, Mr Menzies Campbell, MP for north-east Fife, asked foreign secretary Jack Straw whether his department’s procurement policy includes measures relating to timber used on and in the construction of foreign and commonwealth building projects.

In reply Mr Straw said: “Our procurement policy is that timber must be obtained from legal and sustainable sources. Detailed guidance has been issued to departments responsible for major construction projects.

“We are considering the practicalities of extending this guidance to cover minor building works which our posts overseas fund from their devolved budgets.”