§ 33. Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the investigation into dealing with the nuisance of oil pollution of the shore by discharge from vessels.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for Canterbury (Mr. Baker White) and Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman) on Monday, 20th October.
§ Sir I. FraserWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the considerable hardship to people who go to the seaside, and the harm that is done to birds and fish, by oil pollution? Will he take every step that lies in his power, with the shipping companies, to try to prevent it?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWithout making any promise I can say that I hope that in this, as in every other respect, next summer will be an even better one.
§ Mr. ManuelDoes the Minister recognise that this problem is reaching serious dimensions in some coastal areas, not excluding Scotland, and that it is no use local authorities treating their sewage before disposing of it in the sea if their work is to be ruined by the oil which accumulates on the beaches?
§ Sir H. RoperIs it not a fact that prevention is not possible without international agreement? While the Government are doing their utmost to secure that international agreement, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the facilities at the ports for dealing with sludge are such as to encourage ships to use them?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThat is one of the points to which the committee are directing their attention.