§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochloro-fluorocarbons; if he will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if he will implement an equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by his Department; if he will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarMy Department is committed to eliminating the use of ozone-depleting substances on its estate. As an interim measure, the Department has established policies for the use and disposal of such substances which are designed to minimise releases to atmosphere.
Control procedures have been introduced to minimise leakages, including arrangements for the regular monitoring and servicing of refrigerant and air conditioning 347W systems containing ozone-depleting substances. When discharging equipment containing ozone-depleting substances, every effort is made to recover CFCs/HCFCs rather than release them to atmosphere. Wherever practicable, ozone-depleting substances are recycled in order to minimise purchases of new supplies.