§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will seek to ban the use of aerosol containers pending an inquiry into the possible dangers caused by the propellant gas;
(2) if he will arrange for research to be carried out on the dangers of the continued use of aerosol containers in so far as the propellant gas reacts in the upper stratosphere with ozone thus reducing the amount of ozone and consequently increasing the penetration of ultra violet rays.
§ Mr. Denis HowellWe are appraising available information on the effects of chlorofluorcarbons, which are the main propellants used in areosols. As I said in 697W my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer), on 19th May 1975—[Vol. 892, col. 228]—we intend to publish a report on the matter. We have also commissioned research at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell and are considering further research that needs to be done to assess the problem fully. The case for further action, such as a possible ban, will be considered in the light of the appraisal.