§ 11. Mr. MARTINasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any progress has been made in the search for a satisfactory automatic oil separator for the prevention of oil pollution at sea and in tidal waters?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLStrict regulations are in force to prevent the discharge of any oily refuse into the sea from His Majesty's ships within 50 miles of any coast. Further, no necessity arises for the discharge of appreciable amounts of oily refuse from His Majesty's ships into the sea, since oil-separating barges are available at the principal naval bases. The use of separators is therefore considered unnecessary in connection with the oil fuel installations of His Majesty's ships, but the Admiralty are aware of the progress in the development of automatic oil separators, and have successfully used a process of their own at the naval bases where oil separation is carried out.
§ Mr. MARTINCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the separators in these barges are automatic or are operated by hand?
§ 49. Mr. MARTINasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that residuals from hydrogenated oils are being pumped into our tidal and coastal waters; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the dangers to sea-water life from these heavier-than-water residuals will be prevented by the compulsory use of suitable separators?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)There is at present no hydrogenation plant working in this country. I am informed by Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, that connection with the plant that is being erected at Billingham an elaborate system comprising both drainage sump and oil separator tanks is being incorporated so as to avoid any pollution of the River Tees.
§ Mr. MARTINIs it not a much wider problem than the River Tees? It concerns our coastal waters, and cannot he see whether this question can be taken up by the Government as being of more importance?