HC Deb 21 July 1971 vol 821 cc1449-51

Mr. Farr (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement with regard to the Dutch vessel "Stella Maris" which is now sailing towards the west coast of Ireland with the intention of dumping 600 tons of waste chemicals which will eventually reach the west coast of England ; and what action will he take.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Anthony Royle)

It has come to our notice that the Dutch vessel "Stella Maris" is to dump 600 tons of what is described as chlorified aliphatic hydrocarbonates in the Atlantic in a position approximately 700 miles west of Ireland. We have as yet no precise details of the content of the waste or of the conditions in which it will be dumped. Although the preliminary view of our experts is that the dumping of this waste would cause no harm to fisheries, Her Majesty's Government deplore this action on general environmental grounds. This is because of the chemical's persistence and tendency to accumulate in the food chain. Our Embassy in The Hague is already in touch with the Netherlands Government as a matter of urgency about this and have instructions, if the material is as described, to make representations forthwith.

The dumping of waste at sea is not at present subject to international controls. Her Majesty's Government are concerned about potential danger to marine resources and it was for this reason that we took the initiative in convening both a meeting of North Sea states in London on 11th June and a meeting of the United Nations intergovernmental working group on marine pollution, also in London in June, which we hope will lay the basis for international agreement.

Mr. Farr

I am grateful that my hon. Friend has shown that the Government are aware that no nation can treat the waters of the world in this way and pollute them on the great scale that is proposed. May I ask if my hon. Friend is fully aware that the vessel intends to dump this waste in the centre of the Gulf Stream, which flows from where it is to be dumped along the west coast of the British Isles, from Land's End to the coast of Sutherland?

Mr. Royle

We understand that the dumping is not due to take place for three or four days. In addition to the steps I have already outlined, I have asked the Netherlands Ambassador to call on me this afternoon so that I can express our concern.

Mr. Mason

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the Danish Government and Norwegian Government have already successfully made representations to the Dutch Government for the dumping of this 600 tons of chemical waste not to take place off their shores because of the dangers to their fishing? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it appears that the waste will be dumped 600 or 700 miles west of Ireland, in a current that could endanger fishing off the west of Ireland? To what extent do Her Majesty's Government make a full assessment of this type of operation before it is allowed? As there is to be an international conference in Oslo in about three months' time on the question of dumping industrial wastes in international waters, does not the hon. Gentleman consider that this ship should be made harbour-bound until international agreement has been reached?

Mr. Royle

We are aware of the facts which the right hon. Gentleman has told the House, and we are aware of the action already taken by the Norwegian and Danish Governments. We are making a detailed assessment of what is involved at present, and I will advise the right hon. Gentleman immediately these inquiries are completed.

We have received an invitation to the Oslo Conference, which we are now considering, but I am afraid that the question of making a vessel port-bound must be a matter for the Dutch Government.

Sir D. Renton

Is my hon. Friend aware that the dumping of persistent chemicals in the oceans of the world has been taking place on too large a scale for too long, and that he will have the support of the whole House in taking the strongest possible line when international discussions on this matter take place?

Mr. Royle

I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for his remarks. I must tell the House that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has already been very active in this matter. We are grateful for the support that the House has given the Government this afternoon.

Mr. Pardoe

I welcome the condemnation that the hon. Gentleman has expressed. Is he aware that there is no part of the ocean, however far from our shores, in which it is safe to dump noxious materials, and that the recent expedition by Thor Heyerdahl found substantial traces of oil pollution right across the Atlantic? Is he also aware that, although there may be some danger to fishing now, we shall need to use the oceans in the future for fish-farming and that we are turning them into dustbins for the future?

Mr. Royle

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that Her Majesty's Government deplore the dumping of noxious material at sea.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this incident shows the necessity for an international, indeed a supranational, régime for the high seas and the sea bed?

Mr. Royle

Yes, I agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman.