§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to encourage health authorities to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons in hospitals.
§ Mr. FreemanNHS authorities have been urged to phase out their use of CFCs in all but essential medical and refrigeration uses by the end of 1989 and to purchase CFC-free alternatives. In some cases the alternative products may involve an increased flammability risk, and guidance on safe storage and disposal of such products was issued in November 1988. Where no alternative is currently available, the overall CFC usage is likely to be small, but we will continue to encourage industry and other efforts to find suitable replacements.