§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the Departmental Green Minister has promoted protection of the ozone layer with specific policy measures and which possible measures have been considered and rejected and on what grounds.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 19 November 1992]: The Government's policy on the protection of the ozone layer is set out in the 1990 White Paper "This Common Inheritance" and the subsequent yearly reports. It is to control and eliminate as quickly as possible the production and supply of ozone-depleting substances. This will be reflected in the Scottish Office's green housekeeping strategy, currently in the course of preparation, which will include a presumption against the purchase of any 522W products which cause significant damage to the environment during manufacture, use or disposal, if a suitable alternative is available.