§ 41. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade what action, if any, the Government proposes to take to prevent the pollution of coastal waters by oil from oil-burning vessels; and if any new Regulations have been issued, or are contemplated, by his Department with this end in view?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The text of the Final Act of the International Conference at Washington is with the printers and will shortly be laid before Parliament. The Conference recommended the delimitation of zones in coastal waters 884 and on fishing grounds, normally 50 miles in width, within which the discharge of oil or oily mixtures should be prohibited by international agreements and action. To the Final Act was annexed a draft of an International Convention to give effect to this recommendation, and this is being examined to see whether it is acceptable in its present form.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERWill the hon. Member lay as a Parliamentary Paper the Report of the British representatives at the Conference?
§ Mr. SAMUELIf I receive one, I will certainly do so, but I do not know that there is one in existence at the present time.