§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what British groups, university research departments and scientists have been approached by him in order to prepare proposals to tackle the problems of(a) the destruction of rain forests and (b) the protection of the ozone layer.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 24 October 1988]: Scientists from Cambridge University, the Meteorological Office the Harwell Laboratory and the private sector are currently engaged on work related to the ozone layer under the Department's air pollution research programme. The Department is considering what further work on this topic should be undertaken in 1989–90; and will take into account the recommendations made by the stratospheric ozone review group in its second report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
Proposals for tackling the destruction of rain forests are the responsibility of my hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development.