HC Deb 17 May 1938 vol 336 cc213-4
33. Mr. Day

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken relative to the recommendation of the League of Nations that the Government should suggest to all shipowners that separators, for the purpose of preventing the pollution of water by oil from ships in the rivers and coastal waters, should be fitted to all new ships; and what has been the result of same?

Mr. Stanley

As explained in the reply given on 17th February by my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the hon. and gallant Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver), it has not yet been possible for the League of Nations to convene an International Conference to deal with the draft recommendations and Convention prepared by the Committee of Experts appointed by the League to consider the question of the pollution of the sea by oil.

Mr. Day

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of what the chief maritime countries are doing?

Mr. Stanley

It is owing to the failure of some of the chief maritime nations to agree to this meeting that it has not yet been arranged.

Mr. Grenfell

In view of the fact that we still possess the largest maritime fleet in the world, could not the right hon. Gentleman recommend that our ships should be fitted with these separators and impose heavy penalties on foreign vessels which discharge oil around our shores?

Mr. Stanley

As this matter is dealt with by the League of Nations in an international convention, I consider that it is best to proceed on those lines.

Mr. Grenfell

But has not the right hon. Gentleman in the last few days heard of the immense damage done around our shores by the discharge of oil from these vessels?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, but that cannot be stopped without the co-operation of the maritime nations, and it is that co-operation which the League of Nations is trying to get through this committee.