To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by his Department and its agencies on the hire of mobile air conditioning units in each of the last five years. (151744)

The Department is unable to provide figures for the last five years but can provide figures for financial year 2005-06 and spend to date for financial year 2006-07.

All air conditioning units used now conform to the following Government environmental standards:

<12 kW—EU Energy Label class C or better

>12 kW—coefficient of performance of 2.85, or better (EGA)

Legislation prohibits the use of CFCs and HCFCs as refrigerants.