HL Deb 10 December 1963 vol 253 cc1105-6

2.45 p.m.

LORD HURCOMB

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are in a position to state how many countries have already acceded to the International Convention of 1962 on the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil and what further accessions are still required in order to bring the full provisions of the new Convention into force.]

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, there is no 1962 International Convention as such, but nine countries, including the United Kingdom, have so far accepted the amendments to the 1954 Convention which were adopted by last year's International Conference. The amendments will come into force twelve months after the date on which they have been accepted by two-thirds of the countries who will have then ratified the Convention. These at present number 24.

LORD HURCOMB

My Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I ask whether this means that a two-thirds majority of those who have now agreed to the Convention is required but not two-thirds of those Governments who had agreed to the Convention at the time the amendments were made? Is the noble Lord aware that that was the impression in certain quarters as to what would be likely to happen?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I think it is two-thirds of the 24.

LORD HURCOMB

My Lords, in that event, in view of the great and beneficial initiative which Her Majesty's Government have shown in the past, could they take any steps to urge the number of Governments whose consent is now required to consent to the amendments and so bring the amended Convention into operation?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, there is an organisation called the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation, who are the bureau for the Convention, and it is their job to do precisely what the noble Lord suggests that Her Majesty's Government should do. But, of course, we shall support that organisation and will continue to take such steps as we can to do as the noble Lord suggests.

LORD HURCOMB

My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Lord for saying that. I am quite sure that the—I will not say pressure, but the interest shown by Her Majesty's Government in the speedy acceptance of the amended Convention would have a very good effect among many of the hesitating countries.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am sure that is so.