§ Mr. DevaTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decisions he has made following recent consultations on the Government's proposal to ban the import and supply to the United Kingdom market of refrigerant in disposable containers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanIn view of the clear environmental benefits, and with the support expressed by the refrigeration industry, we have decided to proceed with a ban on disposable containers. The use of such containers leads to emissions of ozone-depleting substances causing damage to the ozone layer, because the heel of chlorofluorocarbons that remains is usually vented to the atmosphere before disposal of the cylinder. Furthermore, containers that are designed to be thrown away rather than reused act are a disincentive to good practice in the industry and particularly to the recovery and recycling of CFCs. In the light of the views expressed in the consultation, we have now decided that the ban should apply to all sizes of disposable container, with an exemption for research and development. The legislation. which will be introduced as soon as possible, will require EC approval.