§ 24. Sir H. Roperasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made towards the ratification by other countries of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe Governments of Mexico and Sweden have recently ratified the Convention, and I understand that a number of other countries have taken, or are taking, powers to enable them to do so.
§ Sir H. RoperIs my right hon. Friend satisfied with the rate of progress in the ratifications of this Convention? He will be mindful that another conference is to be held before May of next year. Would he consider what steps should be taken now to ensure the success of that conference?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI think that the first thing to do is to get as many ratifications as we can. I am certainly not satisfied with the present rate, and I will see if there is anything I can do to speed it up, but I doubt if there is.