HC Deb 17 December 1992 vol 216 cc389-90W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the departmental green Minister has promoted protection of the ozone layer with specific policy measures; which possible measures have been considered and rejected; and on what grounds.

Mr. McLoughlin

In the Department's environmental policy statements we have made a specific commitment to reducing or limiting the procurement of substances which are pollutants. The Employment Department is not a major user of ozone-depleting substances. No specific policy measures have been rejected.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the quantity of ozone-depleting substances recycled within the Department and returned to the manufacturer.

Mr. McLoughlin

The use by the Department of ozone-depleting chemicals is minimal, but we pay due regard to proper disposal methods and are taking steps to ensure that all staff are aware of them. No records of quantities are held centrally and this information would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much funding has been allocated or spent to specifically deal with measures to reduce her Department's consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

Mr. McLoughlin

No specific funding has been allocated. The reduction in the use of ozone-depleting substances is being achieved by replacing equipment which uses such substances with alternatives which do not contain ozone-depleting chemicals, as and when they are due for replacement.

The Employer Department is not a major user of ozone-depleting substances.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which current uses of ozone-depleting chemicals by her Department are considered essential.

Mr. McLoughlin

Some fire extinguishers which use halons as a propellant are in place in departmental buildings. Fire-fighting equipment is essential for the protection of staff; however, these extinguishers are being phased out.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by what date her Department's use of ozone-depleting chemicals will conform to EC regulations on limits on these chemicals.

Mr. McLoughlin

It is the Department's policy to comply with the United Kingdom health and safety legislation. This policy will be applied to any legislation arising out of EC regulations on ozone-depleting chemicals.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will give an undertaking to purchase only ozone-friendly fridges that do not contain chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons for her Department.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Department's purchasing policy includes a commitment to the buying of environmentally friendly goods wherever practical.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if she will provide details from the maintenance servicing record of the quantity and type of ozone-destroying chemicals used annually in her Department's refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for servicing and in leakages; and what proportion is removed for recycling;

(2) how many CFC and HCFC installations are contained within her Department's buildings;

(3) how many refrigeration and air conditioning systems in her Department are equipped with automatic leak detection systems;

(4) how many CFC domestic fridges are contained within her Department's buildings.

Mr. McLoughlin

No records are held centrally and this information would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidance has been sought and received on alternatives to the ozone-destroying chemicals in use by her Department.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Department is not a major user of ozone-depleting chemicals. Where guidance is needed in specific circumstances, it is obtained in the first instance from the Department of the Environment.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many portable halon fire extinguishers are contained within departmental buildings; and what measures are being taken to ensure their recycling and replacement.

Mr. McLoughlin

No records of the number of halon fire extinguishers are held centrally. Halon fire extinguishers are being phased out as and when they are due for replacement.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances have occurred within her Department's buildings in the last five years.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Department has no information to suggest that there have been any catastrophic leaks of ozone-depleting substances from Employment Department buildings in the last five years.