Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 December 1997. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Monday, 22 December 1997 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what progress has been made in assisting developing countries to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in assisting developing countries to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer; and if she will make a statement. [22065] Clare Short: The Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol had its 23rd meeting on 12-14 November. The meeting, chaired by the UK, allocated US$109 million to projects assisting developing countries in phasing out ozone-depleting substances. In total, 259 phase-out activities were approved in 45 developing countries. Most significantly, the Committee approved a US$62 million project to phase out 99 per cent. of halon production and consumption in China by 2006, four years in advance of Protocol requirements. The remaining one per cent. will be phased out by 2010. As halons are the most potent of all ozone-depleting substances, this represents a major step to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. The Multilateral Fund totals US$1 billion in commitments to the end of 1999. The UK is the fifth largest donor and committed almost US$50 million in the period 1991-97.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 22065; 303 c393W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Air pollution Developing countries Environment protection Pollution control Ozone layer Halons
Contains statistics: Yes