HC Deb 25 November 1992 vol 214 cc660-1W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (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 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;

(3) 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.

Mr. MacGregor

Records are not kept centrally for the disposal of controlled waste. The Department's policy is to comply with the duty of care which came into force on 1 April 1992 under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The duty makes producers of controlled waste responsible for ensuring that it is disposed of safely and legally.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the departmental green Minister has promoted protection of the ozone layer with specific policy measures; which possible measures have been considered and rejected; and on what grounds.

Mr. MacGregor

My Department participates in interdepartmental discussions about measures to protect the ozone layer. Our Procurement Manual specifically covers the need to avoid ozone—depleting substances. These substances will also be covered in the environmental guidance which we are preparing for the management of our properties. It is already our policy to phase out all halon fire extinguishers in the accommodation we occupy.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon installations are contained within his Department's buildings; and how many CFC domestic fridges are contained within his Department buildings;

(2) what quantity of HCFC 22 is purchased by his Department per annum;

(3) how many refrigeration and air conditioning systems in his Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems;

(4) if he will provide details from the maintenance arid 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;

(5) what is the quantity of ozone-depleting substances recycled within his Department and returned to the manufacturer.

Mr. MacGregor

The Department does not keep central records of plant and equipment installed or held in premises used by its staff; or items subject to local procurement and recycling arrangements. It is the Department's policy to phase out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals as soon as possible.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance has been sought and received on alternatives or substitutes for the ozone-destroying chemicals in use by his Department.

Mr. MacGregor

The Department of the Environment is the main source of guidance. Its advice is circulated to all procurement and property managers in the Department.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) by what date his Department's use of ozone-depleting chemicals will conform to EC regulations on limits on these chemicals;

(2) which current uses of ozone-depleting chemicals by his Department are considered essential.

Mr. MacGregor

The Department's policy is to phase out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals as soon as possible. The Department is reviewing the detailed application of the policy with the managers responsible for property and procurement.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been allocated or spent to deal specifically with measures to reduce his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

Mr. MacGregor

Measures to reduce the consumption of ozone-depleting substances are included in the Departments general maintenance programme. The costs are not recorded separately.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances have occurred within his Department buildings in the last five years.

Mr. MacGregor

The Department does not have records going back five years. There was a failure at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre, Swansea in May 1991. An air-conditioning unit failed and released 800 kg of refrigerant R12 into the atmosphere.