Mr. Royal Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report on the effect of chlorofluorocarbon gases on the earth's ozone layer will be published; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe report by my Department's Central Unit on Environmental Pollution was published today and a copy has been placed in the Library.
The report concludes that scientifically the hypotheses that have been put forward on the possible effects of chlorofluorocarbons 11 and 12 on the stratis-pheric ozone layer are plausible. Limited studies suggest that if the 1973 rate of usage of chlorofluorocarbons 11 and 12 is continued, a maximum depletion of about 8 per cent. in the ozone layer will occur in about 100 years' time: this will cause an increase of about 16 per cent. in ultra violet radiation reaching the ground. To put the matter in perspective, this would be equivalent to the increase in exposure incurred by a person moving from Northern England to the South Coast of England.
But more information is needed to reduce the uncertainties involved, and research will be directed towards this end. When this is available, in two or three years' time, we shall be better able to make decisions about the continued use of these chlorofluorocarbons. Meanwhile manufacturers are being asked, as a precautionary step, to intensify their search for alternative aerosol propellants and foaming agents and to seek to minimise unintentional emissions from industrial equipment.