HC Deb 21 June 1927 vol 207 cc1639-41
1. Sir ROBERT THOMAS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that merchant ships which use oil as fuel cannot afford, owing to high operating expenses, to comply with the Board of Trade Regulations forbidding the discharge of oil into the sea within 50 miles of the coast; and whether he has in mind any scheme for mitigating the severity of these Regulations?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

His Majesty's Government have intimated their acceptance in principle of the recommendations of the Washington Conference, one of which provides for the prohibition of the discharge of oily water within zones of, generally, 50 miles' width from the coasts. Pending the signature of an international Convention, the shipowners of this and certain other countries have, however, voluntarily adopted this recommendation of the Conference.

Sir R. THOMAS

In the meantime, will the right hon. Gentleman see his way to relax the Regulations in so far as merchant shipping is concerned?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

There are no Regulations.

Sir R. THOMAS

Surely, the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the Reaulations?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, the shipowners agreed to this. There is no statutory power to make Regulations until there has been a Convention, but the British shipowners, recognising the gravity of the evil, themselves agreed to put this into force.

Sir R. THOMAS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shipowners are under the impression that there are Regulations in this matter with which they have to comply?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I should think they know their business much better than that. They agreed, as a body, to do this, and they are most loyally abiding by their agreement.

Captain GARRO-JONES

In view of the voluntary undertaking by British shipowners, will the right hon. Gentleman do something to persuade the shipowners of foreign nations to fall in with this voluntary plan?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is rather behind the times. That was the object of the International Conference at Washington, and a number of the other nations agreed voluntarily to do what we are doing.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to persuade those nations who have not agreed?