Dr. Ken Byrne:

We have to find a balance between using timber and putting carbon in the forest, or storing it there through photosynthesis. Interestingly, many talk about mechanisms to offset emissions but photosynthesis is currently the only mechanism that can do that at scale, whether in a forest or in peatlands, as Professor Joosten has mentioned. Therefore, we need to maximise it as much as we can. The greatest benefit to be derived from a forest is taking carbon into it through its management and then moving a sustainable proportion of that carbon into the likes of what the Deputy just mentioned, such as building materials, and displacing energy needs, thus creating a kind of conveyor of carbon. Let us call it that.

I am perhaps not best placed to comment on timber in construction but my impression is that we have not got to a point where we are using timber enough in our houses. I recently heard a figure indicating something like 85% of housing stock being built in Scotland is timber framed. I suspect it is a lot less here. We need to get better at this and promote the use of timber better. Much progress is being made on innovating in the use of our timber. I am not an engineer but believe that making engineered timber products that can be used in the instances in question has great potential. If we are moving towards growing more broadleaf trees, it will create new challenges. It will take longer to supply timber. More attention will need to be paid to the management of the plantations. We must look after them very closely in the early stages because, if we do not, the opportunity to grow a high-quality product will be lost.

Have I answered the Deputy's questions or is there more that I should address?