§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an assessment on the progress of(a) British, (b) international and (c) Falkland Island based research into the ozone hole.
Mr. JacksonThe following is the current position:
463Wa. British Research
The seasonal ozone depletions in the Antarctic were first identified from regular measurements of ozone column amounts undertaken by the British Antarctic survey, now part of the Natural Environment Research Council. Measurements began in 1957. In 1987, with assistance from the Chemical Manufacturers Association (USA), and the Department of the Environment, the survey undertook a programme of ozone measurements using balloon borne instruments. Profiles of the ozone layer were obtained daily from the British research station `Halley', on the Brunt ice shelf. Between altitudes of 14 and 18 km, a reduction of 97 per cent. in the ozone present took place between 15 August and 13 October 1987.
Apart from this BAS research, modelling studies of Antarctic ozone are being undertaken by the Meteorological Office, and by the Department of physical chemistry, university of Cambridge. Laboratory studies of reactions of the chlorine monoxide radical are being undertaken by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell.
The Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory of the Science and Engineering Research Council has relevant collaborative projects with American institutions.
b. International Research
The United States has mounted three major investigations into the Antarctic ozone depletions. Ground-based measurements of the abundances of the various chemical constituents were under-taken at McMurdo station in 1986 and 1987. In August and September 1987, extensive measurements were made from two aircraft based at Punta Arenas, Chile, flying into and underneath the 'ozone hole'. Preliminary results indicate that chlorine compounds are largely responsible for the depletions. Discussion of the full results is planned for May 1988. Laboratory and theoretical studies are being undertaken at many research centres throughout the United States.
Field programmes are also being undertaken by New Zealand, Japan, West Germany and the USSR. Other nations have relevant laboratory or modelling programmes.
There have been several meetings devoted to discussion of the Antarctic ozone depletions, and all have been marked by a spirit of international co-operation.
Attention is now being given to the possibility of an 'ozone hole' over the Arctic and a research programme has recently been announced in West Germany.
c. Falkland Islands upper-air observations
The Meteorological Office makes routine radio-sonde ascents, in support of air operations. Since mid-1987 the data obtained has been made available to the global meteorological network. Research specific to the ozone problem is not undertaken.