§ Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his responsibilities for coordinating research into pollution of the stratosphere by fluorocarbons; and what work is being carried out.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIt has been agreed that the Central Unit on Environmental 627W Pollution in my Department should assume a general responsibility for coordinating work on stratospheric pollution, although other Departments will retain responsibilities for specific aspects of the problem. As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 19th June—[Vol. 893, c. 517.]—we are conducting an appraisal of the possible effects of fluorocarbons and hope to publish a report on the matter later this year.