'Rainforest wood used in Commons'

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An investigation is under way into claims that non-sustainable timber from rainforests is being used in the refurbishment of the House of Commons.

Environmental group Greenpeace told BBC Newsnight that it had traced plywood panels used to protect surfaces to Papua New Guinea.

It tested plywood found in skips at the Commons during a £5m refurbishment.

Environment Minister Barry Gardiner said contracts may have been breached as sustainable material should be used.

"These logs have no business in any contract that is anywhere near Parliament," he said.

'Complete failure'

"It is part of the contract specification... If it is proven that this is illegally sourced, they will be in breach."

A House of Commons spokesman said if the wood was found to be non-sustainable a further investigation would be held to determine how it came to be used at the Commons.

Greenpeace campaign director John Sauven described the situation as a "complete failure of the government to actually enact its policy".

"They need to make their procurement much stronger, so if they really want to buy legal and sustainable timber then they've got to guarantee that it is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council," he said.

"That is the only certification scheme that guarantees legality and sustainability."

Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said the wood in question was "very distinctive" in appearance "so it is surprising nobody spotted it before".

He said the renovations often went on in the Commons "but there is really no excuse at all for using illegally logged timber".

In July, Greenpeace activists scaled Admiralty Arch in a protest over claims the same kind of hoardings were being used during Cabinet Office renovations in the building.