HC Deb 22 March 1989 vol 149 cc629-31W
26. Ms. Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received seeking the ban on the use of products in his Department which contain chlorofluorocarbons.

Mr. Ridley

I have received a number of representations about the use of chlorofluorocarbons by Government Departments.

45. Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the world's chlorofluorocarbon production is made in Britain.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Figures for United Kingdom production of CFCs are not available for reasons of commercial confidentiality. In 1986, it is estimated that the European Community accounted for some 40 per cent. of world CFC production.

65. Mr. Tredinnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken since the international ozone conference to encourage the replacement of chlorofluorocarbons and halons; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

A message will be delivered from my right hon. Friend as chairman of the "Saving the Ozone Layer" conference on the first day of the meeting of the parties to the Montreal protocol in Helsinki on 2 May.

75. Mr. Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what percentage cuts in(a) consumption and (b) production of chlorofluorocarbons Her Majesty's Government are committed; and by when.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Under the Montreal protocol and the implementing European legislation, production and consumption of CFCs must be reduced by 20 per cent. by 1994 and by a further 30 per cent. by 1999. On 2 March the EC Environment Council, in response to a United Kingdom initiative, called for the protocol to be strengthened so as to require a cut in production and consumption of CFCs of 85 per cent. as soon as possible, and their complete elimination by the end of the century.

99. Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to reintroduce legislation to tackle the problem of chlorofluorocarbons.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The Montreal protocol requires cuts in production and consumption of CFCs of 50 per cent. by 1999. Within the overall framework of the EC regulation implementing the protocol in the Community we are strongly encouraging industry to reduce use of CFCs to the maximum possible extent. As a result of the steps industry is taking on a voluntary basis the United Kingdom will more than halve its consumption of CFCs by the end of 1989, 10 years ahead of the protocol requirement. If, however, extra powers are needed to back up this voluntary action we shall take them. The United Kingdom and its EC partners have now called for CFC production and consumption to be cut by at least 85 per cent. as soon as possible with a view to their complete elimination by the end of the century, and for the protocol to be strengthened accordingly.

108. Mr. Waller

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many countries which attended the current month's London conference on the ozone layer indicated that they would sign the Montreal protocol on reducing chlorofluorocarbon consumption.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

A total of 20 countries attending the "Saving the Ozone Layer" London conference indicated their firm intention of ratifying or acceding to the Montreal protocol. A further 14 countries stated that they would give serious consideration to becoming parties to the protocol