Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if during the meeting of the Council of EEC Industry Ministers in Brussels on 26 September, he raised the issue of environmental protection and implications of European industrial policy for the environment; and if any initiatives were taken on the industrial dismantlement of chlorofluorocarbons from refrigerators.
§ Mr. ForthNo. However, there is close liaison between my Department and the Department of the Environment to ensure that the implications for the environment of measures affecting business and enterprise are fully taken into account in discussions between EC Ministers on all appropriate occasions. My Department has also commissioned a major study into the options for recovering, recycling and destroying chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the United Kingdom. The study, which will consider, among other things, the recovery of CFCs from industrial and domestic refrigerators, is due to be completed early next year.