§ 11. Sir COOPER RAWSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the names of the countries, the names of their representative experts and their qualifications on oil pollution, who have been appointed by the communications and transit organisation under the League of Nations to study the problems involved in oil pollution of the seas; and can he say, approximately, when they anticipate issuing a report?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Committee referred to by my hon. Friend met at Geneva in November last, and its report has already been considered by the Council of the League. The present position in regard to this matter is briefly as follows:
The Communications and Transit Organisation of the League of Nations appointed a Committee of Experts to conduct a preliminary examination into the question of the pollution of the sea by oil. This committee met under the chairmanship of Mr. Grimshaw, of the British Board of Trade, and was attended by fully qualified representatives of Italy, the United States, Denmark, France and Japan. The committee recommended to the Council through the Communications and Transit Organisation that efforts should be made to conclude an international convention for the prevention of oil pollution. The Council approved this recommendation on the 11th 6 January, and authorised the Communications and Transit Organisation to make all necessary preparatory studies with a view to facilitating the conclusion of such a convention. In pursuance of this resolution the Secretary-General has already circulated a questionnaire to Governments, and has asked that the replies should be sent in by the 31st May. On receipt of these replies, the Communications and Transit Organisation are called upon, in accordance with the procedure laid down for the negotiation of general conventions under the auspices of the League of Nations, to prepare a draft convention for communication to Governments. The Assembly of the League has also to take cognisance of the draft convention and to decide whether the subject appears prima facie suitable for the conclusion of a. convention. It is hoped that the Assembly will be in a position to take this decision at its next meeting. I will send my hon. Friend the particulars about the members of the committee if he desires it.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELDo His Majesty's Government view with sympathy the efforts which are being made to get rid of this evil?
§ Sir J. SIMONYes, Sir, with all possible sympathy. I made a statement to that effect at a recent meeting at Geneva, and have already pointed out that the chairman of the committee is an official of the British Board of Trade. Throughout I think I may claim that His Majesty's Government have pressed this matter on the attention of the other Governments.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLWill the inquiry have regard to the treatment of the oil by separators, as well as to the advantage of codifying the laws regulating the discharge of oil effluents from vessels?
§ Sir J. SIMONYes, Sir; my understanding is that both the matters to which the hon. Member refers will be included.
§ Captain PETER MACDONALDIs there a representative of the Navy on the committee? They are very much interested in the matter.
§ Sir J. SIMONI have given to the House the details of the proposal, and, if my hon. and gallant Friend wishes it, I will send to him, as well as to my hon. 7 Friend the Member for Brighton (Sir C. Rawson), a list of the members of the committee.
§ Sir C. RAWSONWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him if it is a fact that Japan and America are sympathetic towards these proposals?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am ready to make a statement, where I can, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, but it is a little dangerous to make statements on behalf of other Governments on a technical matter such as this.