§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the studies he has undertaken or commissioned on the human and environmental effects of ozone depletion over the United Kingdom; and whether he has any plans for future research in this area.
§ Mr. BaldryIn 1989 my Department placed a research contract with the University of Lancaster, worth £220,000 over three years, to investigate the effect of increased UVB radiation on the ecophysiology of plants and to identify a range of sensitive UVB indicator species. A scientific meeting will be held in April 1992 on UVB effects on biota with support from my Department. Assessment of the effects of UVB on health or agriculture are matters for the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, respectively.