§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will introduce a leakage prevention programme for all refrigeration and air conditioning equipment owned and operated by her Department; if she will publish targets for reductions in leakages; and if she will make a statement;
(2) if she will implement a refrigerant recycling and reclaim policy covering all departmental equipment currently using chlorofluorocarbons and ydrochlorofluorocarbons; if she will publish targets for departmental reuse and recycling; if she will implement an equipment conversion and replacement programme for all departmental uses of CFCs and HCFCs; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleIt is the responsibility of individual health authorities and national health trusts to operate and manage equipment in an environmentally conscientious manner. NHS Estates, an executive agency of my Department, plans to issue guidance on refrigerants and air conditioning in 1993. This guidance will address the operation, maintenance and reclamation of refrigerant equipment and will take account of developments on alternative agents.