§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the presence of(a) hazardous materials and (b) ozone depleting substances within those buildings which his Department occupies; and if he will make a statement. [16279]
§ Mr. HanleyBoth wings of this Department maintain registers of hazardous materials—such as asbestos or polychlorinatedbiphenyls—in its buildings in UK and overseas. The chemical treatment programme for legionella is managed by specialists in the field.
We are careful not to endanger the further depletion of the ozone layer, through a responsible procurement and disposal policy at home and abroad. Improvements in insulation levels and building services design and installation are encouraged. New air-conditioning systems operate with non-chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants. Halon fire extinguishers have been withdrawn. Advisory leaflets on CFCs, halon and energy conservation have been issued.