§ 3. Sir R. THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade how far complete international agreement has been reached regarding the question of the discharge of oil into the sea from ships?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSThe draft international Convention on oil pollution recommended by the Washington Conference is being considered by the various Governments concerned, and it is understood that the majority of the Governments represented at the Conference have intimated their practical agreement with it. His Majesty's Government are using their best endeavours to help the United States Government to obtain the adherence of all the Maritime Powers and their signatures to the Convention. Meanwhile, as stated in reply to previous questions, the shipowners of this and certain other maritime countries have 861 agreed voluntarily to conform with the principal provision of the draft Convention, relating to the prohibition of the discharge of oil within specified distances from the coasts.