Pollution (Hansard, 6 May 1982)

§ 6. Mr. Adley
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is currently contemplating further to protect the fishing community from chemical, oil and detergent pollution of the sea.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
Responsibilities for dealing with chemical and oil spills at sea, including the use of dispersants to combat oil slicks, rest mainly with my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Trade. I take every opportunity to ensure that proper regard is paid to the interests of the fishing industry whenever incidents occur and in contingency planning.

§ Mr. Adley
I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer. Does he agree that there is something faintly immoral about oil companies that spill oil subsequently profiting from the sale of detergents to clear up the mess for which they have been responsible? In view of the effect of these detergents on fishing interests, will my right hon. Friend consider making a ministerial visit to Oil Recovery International in my constituency, as that company has developed a system of collecting oil from the surface of the water by means of an oil mop that takes away all the harmful effects to the fishing interests caused by detergents?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I know that there is concern over the use of detergents for dispersing oil slicks. However, there has been a considerable improvement in their effectiveness in recent years. We monitor carefully the effect on fishing. I do not think that the effect on fish resources is quite so serious as my hon. Friend claims. I shall watch the situation carefully. I know that it worries fishermen and my hon. Friend.

§ Mr. Bill Walker
Will my right hon. Friend have discussions with Ministers at the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade about the relatively inexpensive method of policing the seas carried out by the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force? It may be possible for the three Departments together to mount a similar operation.

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
My hon. Friend may not be aware that the Department of Trade has recently announced new aerial surveillance arrangements. His proper interest in this matter may have been anticipated. If my hon. Friend wishes more details, I shall be happy to send them to him.

§ Mr. Ioan Evans
Is this not an international issue? What action is the Ministry taking, together with the Departments of Trade and Environment, to implement resolutions passed at the United Nations conference at Stockholm in 1971? Is not the future of mankind threatened if we fail to deal with serious pollution of the seas?

§ Mr. Buchanan-Smith
I agree, in general, with the concern expressed by the hon. Gentleman. These matters, especially those related to the high seas, are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Trade. I shall draw the attention of my noble Friend to what the hon. Gentleman said.