Ozone-depleting Chemicals (Hansard, 23 June 1992)

§ Mr. Win Griffiths
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will outline his Department's policy on recovery and recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals.

§ Mr. Leigh
[holding answer 22 June 1992]: The Government encourage recycling wherever it makes economic and environmental sense by setting the right legislative framework and stimulating both the recovery and take-up of recyclable materials. The Department also seeks to alert business through literature, and other promotional activity, to the benefits of recovering and reusing ozone-depleting substances.

§ Mr. Win Griffiths
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's policy on purchasing ozone-depleting chemicals and goods manufactured 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. Leigh
[holding answer 22 June 1992]: The Department has already ceased to purchase some goods manufactured with ozone-depleting chemicals and will continue to reduce purchases of such goods and substances 154W as and when suitable alternative technologies and products become available. The Department has also introduced control measures to eliminate the unnecessary release of these substances to the atmosphere.

§ Mr. Win Griffiths
To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. Leigh
[holding answer 22 June 1992]: The information is not available. However my Department is committed to eliminating its use of ozone-depleting substances where suitable alternatives are available. The DTI, along with other Government Departments, has adopted the "Environmental Action Guide for Building and Purchasing Managers" published in 1991—ISBN 011 752 3119—which aims for a high quality of environmental performance in the public procurement of goods and services.