HC Deb 16 June 1993 vol 226 cc559-60W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to establish an information hotline to advise on emissions of ozone-depleting substances.

Mr. Yeo

None.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to ensure that all products made with or containing any ozone depleting substances are clearly marked.

Mr. Yeo

The Government strongly support the European Community eco-labelling scheme which looks at all the effects of products on the environment. There are no plans to have a separate scheme for products containing or made with ozone-depleting substances.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce a more rigorous regime of fines and penalties for the emission of ozone depleting substances.

Mr. Yeo

None. The disposal of waste ozone-depleting substances by releasing them to the atmosphere is an offence under section 33(1)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The penalties available to the courts for that offence are, on summary conviction, up to £20,000 fine or six months' imprisonment or, on conviction on indictment, an unlimited fine or up to two years' imprisonment.