§ 11. Mr. P. Browneasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that merchant ships are discharging effluent, other than oil residue, in enclosed waters to the detriment of local interests; and if he will take steps to prevent this happening in the future.
§ Mr. MarplesI am not aware of any general complaints about this matter. Prevention of the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter is covered by existing legislation.
§ Mr. BrowneMay I refer the Minister to some correspondence which I had with him about a ship which was either pumping its bilges or flushing out its coal bunkers in the Taw and Torridge estuary outside Appledore? Has not he the 1030 power to prevent this sort of thing happening until the ships get on the high seas? He says that he has, yet these ships continually do this, and it is harmful to local interests.
§ Mr. MarplesIf any particular case is brought to my attention, I will look at it. In this case we made an investigation and we decided that it was not detrimental. If my hon. Friend has any other case in mind, I should be delighted to have details of it.
§ Mr. AwberyAs this is a very important problem for the towns situated along the coast, can the Minister say whether any action has been taken recently against captains who have been guilty of discharging effluent or oil in coastal waters?
§ Mr. MarplesPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a Question down about that.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWill my right hon. Friend also bear in mind the fact that a great deal of oil is still coming back on to our beaches, that ships discharge oil outside territorial waters, and that it is still his responsibility to try to prevent this if he can?
§ Mr. MarplesIt is extremely difficult to prevent that sort of thing, but if any hon. Gentleman has a case in mind I should like details because it would help me generally.