§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce regional UV-B monitoring systems; what initiatives he has taken to encourage Northern Irish industry to switch to non-ozone-depleting substances; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe National Radiological Protection Board has been measuring levels of UV radiation at three sites in Great Britain since 1988. There are no plans for separate monitoring in Northern Ireland.
The phase-out of man-made chloroflurocarbons under the Montreal protocol will require industry to switch to non-ozone-depleting substances. Northern Ireland industries which require more information may contact the industrial research technology unit's freephone environmental inquiry point, and their attention has already been drawn to this facility.