HC Deb 22 June 1992 vol 210 cc95-6W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline his Department's policy on recovery and recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals.

Mr. Maclean

The Department encourages industry and local authorities to recycle CFCs. The Department has invited bids from local councils for supplementary credit approvals for new recycling projects. About 80 per cent. of local authorities now run or take part in such schemes. We have also produced a consumer leaflet which includes advice on how to ensure CFCs and halons are recycled. As a further measure, we intend to ban the supply of refrigerant in disposable containers. These containers lead to unnecessary emissions of CFCs and act as a disincentive to good practice, including recycling.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's poliicy on purchasing ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manu-factured with these substances; and in which year his Department expects to cease using, purchasing or releasing ozone-depleting substances, controlled by the Montreal protocol, and HCFCs.

Mr. Maclean

My Department's policy in respect of the purchase of ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manufactured by these substances is to eliminate the use of all such products, if possible, in advance of the phase out dates set by EC regulations and the Montreal protocol and to ensure that chemicals are properly recovered.

HCFCs are needed in some areas if users are to move away rapidly from CFCs. The United Kingdom, together with the EC, is playing an active role in discussions to control HCFCs under the Montreal protocol. The Department will consider its own use of HCFCs once these discussions are completed.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amount in tonnes of ozone-depleting chemicals used or purchased by his Department for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991, and estimates of usage for the next year; what is the estimated bank of ozone-depleting chemicals contained within his Department; and how many months' supply of ozone-depleting chemicals have been ordered by his Department.

Mr. Maclean

Figures on the amounts of ozone-depleting chemicals used by my Department since 1989 are not available. My Department is fully committed to eliminating the use of these products as soon as it is practicable to do so. Since 1989 considerable progress has been made towards this objective by the inclusion of a requirement in departmental contracts for supplies and services that products containing ozone-depleting chemicals must not be used where acceptable alternatives exist. Other departmental initiatives have included the replacement of all hand-held halon fire extinguishers with environmentally acceptable alternatives.