§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the dates of any regular meetings and one-off seminars regarding ozone depletion involving his Department within the last three years; and if he will make a statement on plans for future meetings and seminars.
§ Mr. LeighSince the establishment of the DTI environment unit in March 1990 meetings have been held regularly with the various industry user sectors usually on a three monthly basis, to discuss Montreal protocol issues. During 1991 the Department also conducted a series of 17 environmental seminars around the United Kingdom in which ozone depletion featured among a wide range of topics. The DTI has in addition provided speakers for other seminars dealing specifically with ozone layer issues and attended ad hoc meetings with producer and user industry representatives. Officials of the Department are also involved in EC and international negotiations on such issues. It is envisaged that this pattern of contacts will continue for the foreseeable future.