§ 1. Mr. Burdenasked the President of the Board of Trade what new steps are being taken to ensure that tankers do not discharge oil into British coastal waters and rivers.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Roy Mason)The oil industry recently set up a study group to make recommendations for a standard code of safe practices at oil terminals, including precautions against spillages. In addition the Board of Trade has intensified its efforts to prevent oil pollution.
§ Mr. BurdenWill the hon. Gentleman note that, desirable as these steps are, the best way of stopping this nuisance would be to impose very heavy fines on any foreign or British vessels that discharge oil in the vicinity of the British coast or in British waters?
§ Mr. MasonYes. In some cases, £1,000 fines are imposed. The hon. Member would like to know that the harbour and conservancy authorities have powers and last year successfully prosecuted 45 offenders.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamCan the hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken to get other countries to sign and implement the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil?
§ Mr. MasonThirty-one countries already adhere to the International Convention. There is growing international awareness of this problem, and there is very keen national awareness by the Government, too.
§ 2. Mr. Burdenasked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries have been instigated to establish responsibility for the discharge of oil into the River Medway on 18th September last.
§ Mr. BurdenIt would obviously be wrong to comment on that, but will the hon. Gentleman look into the possibility of a double check to ensure that all the seacocks, etc., on ships are closed before they discharge oil? It seems that there might be the appearance that they are closed whereas, in fact, they are not, and about 1,600 tons of fuel were pumped into the Medway before the failure was discovered.
§ Mr. MasonYes, but it is difficult to legislate against human frailty. This was the case when the "Seestern" discharged oil in the Medway. I take note, however, of what the hon. Member has said. We are stepping up surveillance measures.