Ozone-depleting Substances (Hansard, 18 February 1993)

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon installations are contained within his Department's buildings.

§ Mr. Goodlad
Four hundred and thirty nine.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much funding has been allocated or spent specifically to deal with measures to reduce his Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The Department has allocated £75,000 in the 1993–94 financial year for absorption chiller plant to reduce its use of CFCs/HCFCs, and £157,000 on high-frequency lighting to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
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§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many refrigeration and air conditioning system in the Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems.

§ Mr. Goodlad
None.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. Goodlad
The green Ministers for the Department continue to promote protection of the ozone layer through active FCO involvement in international environmental policy, the planned reduction of energy consumption in the Department and the reduction of use of ozone-depleting substances.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which current uses of ozone-depleting chemicals by his Department are considered essential.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The Department is advised that the only ozone-depleting chemicals considered essential are those in inhalants supplied to posts overseas for medicinal purposes.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what date his Department's use of ozone-depleting chemicals will conform to EC regulations on limits on these chemicals.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The Department is advised that it is only the production and supply of new ozone-depleting substances which must conform to EC Regulations. The Department will, however, reduce its use of ozone-depleting substances as soon as practicable.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what targets have been set for the recycling of ozone-depleting chemicals within Departmental buildings.

§ Mr. Goodlad
None. Information is currently being compiled to enable targets to be set.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many chlorofluorocarbon domestic fridges are contained within his Department's buildings.

§ Mr. Goodlad
Three hundred and sixty-seven.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances have occurred within his Department's buildings on the last five years.

§ Mr. Goodlad
None.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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.
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§ Mr. Goodlad
Equipment containing ozone-depleting substances is returned to the manufacturers for recycling.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an undertaking to purchase only ozone-friendly fridges that do not contain chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons for his Department.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The Department does not purchase fridges containing CFCs or HCFCs where acceptable alternatives offering value for money are available.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance has been sought and received on alternatives or substitutes to the ozone-destroying chemicals in use by his Department.

§ Mr. Goodlad
In 1992, the Department appointed a firm of consultants to carry out a programme of environmental audits of its home estate. A primary purpose of the audits was to seek advice on alternatives or substitutes to the ozone-destroying chemicals in use in the Department. The consultants are due to report shortly.

§ Mr. Chris Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commowealth Affairs how many portable halon fire extinguishers are contained within Departmental buildings; and what measures are being taken to ensure their recycling and replacement.

§ Mr. Goodlad
One hundred and forty-five. They will be replaced this year and returned to the manufacturers for recycling.