§ 12. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Trade -whether he will consider suggesting international action in order that all ships are fitted with separators to prevent the pollution by oil from ships of rivers and coastal waters, and so prevent the destruction of fish and bird life; and, failing that, will he introduce regulations that will extend the use of this apparatus on all British ships?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANInternational action as to the pollution of the sea by oil has 13 been considered by the League of Nations, who have circulated to Governments for observations a report and a draft convention on the subject prepared by a committee of experts. The report states that a requirement making compulsory the fitting of separators on existing ships would not be acceptable to the chief maritime nations, and that it therefore cannot be included in any International Convention which can be adopted at the present time. It advocates, however, the inclusion in the final act of any convention of a recommendation by Governments to shipowners that separators should be fitted on new vessels wherever practicable. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI could not say without notice.