HC Deb 22 July 1925 vol 186 c2204
70. Mr. GERALD HURST

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps have been taken to convene an international conference as to the pollution of the sea by the discharge of oil beyond territorial limits; and, if so, what are the prospects of its being held at an early date?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this subject given to the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley on 13th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this nuisance not only continues but is in creasing, and is doing a great deal of damage round the coast: and will the Board of Trade take some action in the matter?

Sir B. CHADWICK

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will refer to the White Paper published by the Board of Trade, he will find that on the whole the trouble is not increasing, but diminishing, and probably it is not as serious as he thinks.

Mr. HURST

Would my hon. Friend say whether or not steps have been taken to convene a conference?

Sir B. CHADWICK

I can. only repeat that an answer was sent to a similar question the other day to the hon. Member, and that that answer indicated that an international conference is being arranged.