§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what progress has been made in ensuring that CFCs are not used in the air cooling systems of properties owned or occupied by the Government or Government agencies since October 1992; [3248]
(2) what progress has been made in phasing out the use of CFCs in the air cooling systems of properties owned or occupied by the Government or Government agencies. [3249]
§ Mr. ClappisonGovernment Departments have had green housekeeping strategies in place since 1992, which include restrictions on the purchase and use of CFCs in air cooling systems and other applications. There is no record covering the Government estate as a whole; Departments take responsibility for implementing and monitoring their own strategies. My Department's policy is to continue to ensure that no products containing CFCs 5W or other ozone-depleting substances are purchased, and appropriate advice has been issued to our property managers, suppliers and contractors. The Departrnent is studying the use of ozone-friendly hydrocarbon refrigerants in smaller air conditioning units.