§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which premises owned and leased by his Department use(a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs; if he will publish details of such use and the reasons for it; and what specific guidance on the use of these substances he has issued to NHS trusts. [159965]
§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 1 May 2001]: Of the buildings owned or leased by the Department, three of its main headquarters buildings and three of its main regional office buildings use hydrochlorofluorocarbons as refrigerant in air conditioning systems. The Department is looking at options to replace these with more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Guidance issued to the National Health Service is to ensure that they do not purchase any products that use chlorofluorocarbons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons where there are suitable alternatives.