HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1411-2W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice his Department gives to the public when ground level ozone exceeds 90ppb. [34636]

Mr. Clappison

Health advice, up-to-date information on ozone levels and daily forecasts are available to the public at all times on the Government's freephone 0800 556677. Information on daily levels and forecasts is also carried on Ceefax page 404, and on Teletext page 106 and is now also accessible through the internet. Reports and forecasts are sent twice daily to broadcast and print media.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the likely effect of his abatement strategies for oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds upon future levels of ozone in(a) urban, (b) suburban and (c) rural areas of Surrey. [35866]

Mr. Clappison

The Government believe that harmonised action at an international level is necessary to ensure cost-effective reductions in ozone levels in the United Kingdom. The Government have pressed for early consideration of an ozone strategy for Europe within the United Nations Commission for Europe and the European Union. The Government are currently undertaking assessments of the national and international practicability and costs of achieving the recommended air quality standard of the expert panel on air quality standards within the timeframe of the sustainable development strategy.

Mr. Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in the last five years ozone levels in Surrey have exceeded the standard for ozone recommended by his expert panel on air quality standards. [35867]

Mr. Clappison

The Department of the Environment does not monitor ozone in Surrey. The nearest monitoring site is situated at Lullington Heath in East Sussex where levels are expected to represent some of the highest in the United Kingdom. The expert panel on air quality standard's recommended air quality standard for ozone was exceeded at Lullington Heath on 83 days in 1990, 39 days in 1991, 50 days in 1992, 46 days in 1993 and 55 days in 1994.