§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on current policy with regard to exports of all ozone-depleting chemicals to developing countries.
§ Mr. LeighUnited Kingdom policy with regard to export of ozone-depleting substances is in line with the terms of the Montreal protocol, which states that exports of such substances to non-parties shall be prohibited as of 1 January 1993.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on measures he has undertaken, and any future planned activities, in assisting British industry to switch from the use of ozone-depleting substances.
§ Mr. LeighDTI, jointly with DoE, holds regular meetings with United Kingdom producers and users of ozone-depleting substances to discuss progress towards phase-out of these substances, including latest developments on replacement technologies. Other DTI activities include organising and speaking at seminars, funding research into the feasibility of alternatives, providing financial support to private sector research, and an awareness campaign targeted at all potential users of the substances.
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§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his current policy in respect of advice to industry regarding HCFCs; and what advice has been given to industry on the toxicity of HCFC 123.
§ Mr. LeighThe DTI leaflet "Protecting the Ozone Layer", advises industry that HCFCs
should be used only where necessary and recovered for re-use, recycling or proper disposal wherever possible".Toxicity testing HCFC 123 is not yet complete. However early results give some cause for concern. Producers have therefore advised the competent authorities and user industries of potential problems, and application development is proceeding with caution.