§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what help his Department is giving to those small businesses affected by the phase-out of CFC 113.
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§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 13 July 1993] : CFC 113 is largely used as an industrial solvent. My Department commissioned a study on the phase-out of CFCs in the solvents sector and the availability of substitutes; the implications for small and medium-sized enterprises were specifically addressed. The Department has since supported a series of regional seminars organised by the Engineering Employers Federation, to make practical advice about alternatives available to small firms in particular; and a booklet encapsulating that advice is about to be issued. DTI has also supported a study concerning CFC elimination in the cleaning of electronic assemblies and the results have been published. As part of a general campaign by my Department to alert businesses to the phasing-out of ozone-depleting substances, a one-page flier about CFC 113 phase-out was circulated by the Health and Safety Executive to all dry cleaners.