§ 45. Mr. PENNYasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to call an international conference to deal with the necessity of preventing the discharge of waste oil on the sea, which is causing serious loss to seaside watering places and endangering our fishing industry, as well as causing cruelty to sea birds?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)I have been asked to reply. It is understood to be the intention of the Government of the United States of America to convene an international conference to discuss the matter as soon as they consider that the time is ripe for such a conference, and sufficient information bearing on the question has been collected. His Majesty's Government have already supplied the Government of the United States with such information as they possess on the matter, and have expressed their desire to co-operate in the conference.
Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALLIs it not possible that some of the oil found on the shores round our coasts comes from ships sunk by the submarines during the War round our coasts that have been breaking up?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKYes, I think that is quite possible, and probably that source of oil pollution is already diminishing, but wherever it is coming from that source, it is known.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESIs it not a fact that the places where most submarines were sunk show less oil than a great many of the others?