§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how his 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. CurryThe policy of the Department is not to purchase new materials that are known to be harmful to the ozone layer as set out in the Montreal protocol and its revisions. Where existing equipment containing substances harmful to the ozone layer is to be renewed or subject to major maintenance it will be replaced by equipment which is understood to be ozone friendly. The Department considered but rejected replacing all sound equipment containing materials harmful to the ozone layer because on balance there was seen to be no significant environmental advantage in doing this before the end of its natural life span.