§ Mr. Ottawayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much have the Government increased their spending in response to the recommendations of the joint UNEP/WMO/ICSU conference, convened in Villach, Austria, in October 1985, to assess the role of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in climatic changes, that governments and funding agencies should increase research support and focus efforts on crucial unsolved problems related to greenhouse gases and climate change; and what changes in Her Majesty's Government's policy has occurred in consequence of the conclusions and recommendations of the conference.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe main United Kingdom centre of expertise on the problem of effects of greenhouse gases on climate is the Meteorological Office, which has paid increasing attention to it in recent years. Research on these subjects formed a part of the office's total programme of £7.7 million in 1984–85, but cannot be costed separately. The office is participating actively in the world climate research programme and other relevant international activities.
My Department keeps in close touch with scientific opinion on the problem of greenhouse gases and climate change, and policy is subject to constant review.
The stratospheric ozone review group established by my Department is expected to report on the problem early next year.