§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances have occurred within his Department's buildings in the past five years.
§ Mr. David HuntNone.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much funding has been allocated or spent to deal specifically with measures to reduce his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
§ Mr. David HuntFunds are not specifically earmarked by my Department for this purpose. Measures to reduce consumption of these substances are taken as part of our general procurement arrangements and the costs involved are not separately identifiable.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the quantity of ozone-depleting substances recycled within his Department and returned to the manufacturer.
§ Mr. David HuntThis information is not available.
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§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance has been sought and received on alternatives or substitutes to the ozone-destroying chemicals in use by his Department.
§ Mr. David HuntMy Department receives guidance on an ongoing basis from the Department of the Environment.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many chlorofluorocarbon domestic fridges are contained within his Department's buildings.
§ Mr. David HuntThis information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what proportion of his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances becomes controlled waste in terms of section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;
(2) what action has been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances consumed by his Department are identified as controlled wastes when they are no longer in use;
(3) what measures have been taken to ensure that ozone-destroying substances in use by his Department identified as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 do not reach the atmosphere.
§ Mr. David HuntMy Department works within the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to ensure all its "controlled waste" is properly and legally dealt with. However, information is not collected centrally about the disposal of "controlled waste".
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§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets have been set for the recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals within his Department's buildings.
§ Mr. David HuntMy Department's policy is to ensure that wherever practicable these substances are recovered for recycling.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many refrigeration and air conditioning systems in his Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems.
§ Mr. David HuntNone. However, all systems are subject to a stringent maintenance regime intended readily to detect any abnormalities.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon installations are contained within his Department's buildings.
§ Mr. David HuntThese installations are present in six properties occupied by my Department.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what date his Department's use of ozone-depleting chemicals will conform to EC regulations on limits on these chemicals.
§ Mr. David HuntI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) on 22 June 1992, at column69.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales which current uses of ozone-depleting chemicals by his Department are considered essential.
§ Mr. David HuntMy Department has not identified any direct uses of these chemicals which it considers essential.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give an undertaking to purchase only ozone-friendly fridges that do not contain chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons for his Department.
§ Mr. David HuntYes. I can give an undertaking that my Department will purchase only ozone-friendly fridges, provided that they are available and offer good value for money.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the latest available figures are for his Department's total purchase of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrocholorofluorocarbons.
§ Mr. David HuntThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide details from the maintenance and servicing record of the quantity and type of ozone-destroying chemicals used annually in his Department's refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for servicing and in leakages; and what proportion is removed for recycling.
§ Mr. David HuntThis information is not available.