§ 8. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the International Conference on Oil Pollution of Navigable Waters?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs stated in answer to the hon. Member for Widnes on 29th November, the Government have accepted in principle the recommendations of the International Conference on Oil Pollution, but effect cannot be given to these recommendations until they are embodied in an International Convention and the Convention is put into force by legislation.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESMy question was intended to elicit the information as to whether the Government have taken any steps to embody them in legislation in co-operation with the other Governments concerned?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. We cannot do that. The hon. and gallant Member does not seem to be aware that the Conference we attended was summoned by the Government of the United States, and according to ordinary diplomatic courtesy it is for the Government of the United States to secure the adhesion of other countries. We have already intimated our acceptance of the principle to the United States.
Sir JOSEPH NAILDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to assist the party opposite to make an investigation into the pollution of political waters?