§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been his Department's annual consumption of(a) 1.1.1 trichloroethane, (b) 1.1.2 trichlorotrifloroethane and (c) trichloroethylene for each of the last five years; what is the latest estimate for consumption of these compounds for the current year; to what purpose each of these compounds is put; what substitutes for these compounds have been tested by his Department; and what other similar chemicals are used by his Department.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThere is no central record of past consumption of(a) 1.1.1 trichloroethane, (b) 1.1.2 trichlorotrifloroethane or of past or current consumption of (c) trichloroethylene and this information cannot be provided without disproportionate time and effort. 1.1.1 trichloroethane, and 1.1.2 trichlorotrifloroethane are controlled substances under the Montreal protocol, and the usage of these substances is now being monitored. The current year's usage is estimated to be 120 and 570 tonnes respectively. Trichloroethylene is not included in the Montreal protocol. Each of the substances is a chlorinated solvent and is used for cleaning electronic components and assemblies, cleaning and drying precision parts and metal cleaning. The Department is currently investigating the use of aqueous and other solutions for these purposes. The only other similar chemical substance used by the Department is carbon tetrachloride which was added to the Montreal protocol as a controlled substance in June 1990.