§ 41. Mr. R. Robinsonasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now concluded his review of the problem of the pollution of the sea and of beaches by oil; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAfter preliminary discussion with the interests concerned, I have decided to appoint a committee of representatives of the Government Departments concerned, the shipping industry, and other interests to consider what practical measures can be taken to prevent oil pollution of the waters round our coast.
I am also arranging for surveyors of my Department to go on board oil tankers entering the main tanker repair ports to examine the measures adopted to prevent the escape of oil. This will include inquiries as to where tank washings and ballast water were discharged.
As my hon. Friend has no doubt seen in this morning's Press, the British Tanker Company, the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company and the Esso Transportation Company have decided to carry out experiments at their own expense in the near future to ascertain the drift of oil when discharged at sea. My Department has accepted an invitation to take part in these experiments which will, of course, be outside the 50-mile limit.
§ Mr. RobinsonIn view of the fact that pollution of the beaches of this country has been steadily increasing during the last six months would my right hon. Friend ask this committee and his advisers to expedite the matter as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCertainly. I think we are all agreed that the present situation is intolerable.