§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals for the recovery of chlorofluorocarbons currently in use for domestic or commercial refrigeration.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyBoth United Kingdom manufacturers of CFCs as well as some refrigeration670W companies offer a recycling service for used refrigerants. At least one retailer of domestic refrigerators and freezers has agreed to remove old appliances free of charge to extract the refrigerant for recycling.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to prohibit the release of CFCs into the atmosphere.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyOverall production and consumption of cholorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is controlled within the European Community by the EC regulation implementing the Montreal protocol. Within that framework we are strongly encouraging action on a voluntary basis to reduce CFC use to the maximum possible extent by such measures as use of alternative substances, products and processes, prevention of leaks and wastage, and recovery and recycling. The steps already being taken by all sectors of industry will ensure that the United Kingdom will more than halve its consumption of CFCs by the end of 1989—10 years ahead of the protocol requirement. Following the initiative of the United Kingdom, EC Environment Ministers agreed on 2 March on the need to reduce CFC production and consumption by at least 85 per cent. as soon as possible with a view to a complete phase out by the end of the century, and to strengthen the protocol accordingly. The "Saving the Ozone Layer" London conference on 5 to 7 March underlined the need for tougher international measures. The United Kingdom hopes that such action will be agreed when the parties to the protocol meet in London 1990.