§ 28. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he is giving to limiting the size of tankers permitted to use British ports; and whether his forthcoming discussions with other maritime nations will include proposals for international agreement to limit the size of such ships.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuI doubt if restrictions on the size of tankers are likely to be the most effective approach to this problem. The requirements of safety can be tackled in other ways which do not involve sacrificing the economic 1591 advantages that the development of large tankers has made possible.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhile accepting that there are many other methods open to the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he views with equanimity the proposed building of tankers running up to the half million ton level? Does he really think that ships of this size can be safely handled in crowded waters, and does he view with equanimity the damage that they would do in the event of an accident?
§ Mr. MallalieuI certainly do not contemplate the latter part of the question with equanimity, but provided some changes and developments are carried out in the construction of these large tankers, providing a greater number of smaller tanks rather than a few large tanks, the danger can be minimised, and the economic advantages are really tremendous.
§ Mr. Peter MillsWill the Minister try to ensure that these very large tankers, if we have to have them, at least keep away from the fishing grounds of the South-West, as they present a very real danger to the fishermen there?
§ Mr. MallalieuThe routing of tankers is one of the things that we will be discussing this coming week in I.M.C.O.
Mr. Geoffrey WilsonIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that these large tankers are sufficiently manœuvrable and if not, should not some further regulations be made about this?
§ Mr. MallalieuAgain, that is a matter which will be discussed in I.M.C.O. I am not altogether satisfied on that point.