Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the benefits to the environment of building homes with timber.

We recognise the benefits to the environment of building homes with timber. Independent research concludes that the Life Cycle analysis of timber for greenhouse gases compares favourably to other building materials for locking up carbon. This can contribute to meeting the UK carbon emissions reduction commitments.

The use of timber as a building material also provides a market outlet for timber products which engages the growth of wood supply chains, and encourages more active woodland management.