§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which consultant was used to advise on the installation of air conditioning during the recent refurbishment of GCHQ. [41163]
§ Mr. StrawThe most recent refurbishment work at a GCHQ premises, involving the provision of air-conditioning, engaged the services of W. S. Atkins as consultant.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether an installer capable of installing not-in-kind air conditioning was invited to quote for the recent refurbishment contract for GCHQ; and if he will make a statement. [41165]
§ Mr. StrawIn line with Government policy, contracts for GCHQ are let on the basis of a main contractor providing goods and services via sub-contractors, (including in this case the provision of air conditioning). It is for those specialists to determine solutions which may, or may not, be on a like for like basis.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures were taken to ensure that the consultant advising on the installation of air conditioning during the recent refurbishment of GCHQ was aware of the Government's policy on the use of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants in air conditioning; and if he will make a statement on the measures taken by the consultant to source practical and safe alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon-based air conditioning. [41164]
§ Mr. StrawGCHQ ensured that the consultant complied fully with Government policy on refrigerants, which supports the phase-out timetable for ozone-depleting agents—including hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)—as agreed in the Montreal Protocol of 1987, and the subsequent revisions laid down by European Commission Regulation 594–91. The refrigerant chosen for the air conditioning plant used in the refurbishment was R407C (which is HFC-based and is therefore not ozone-depleting) and all other materials were CFC-free. This is acceptable under the relevant legislation.