HL Deb 04 February 1991 vol 525 cc872-4

2.42 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they have taken to help reduce the damage to wildlife and the environment caused by the Iraqi release of oil into the Gulf.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Baroness Blatch)

My Lords, the release of oil into the Gulf constitutes environmental terrorism by Iraq. That said, the Gulf states have substantial oil pollution clean-up skills and resources. However, the Government have responded promptly to requests for assistance. Experts on pollution control have been sent; the RSPCA is advising on the protection of birds; 90 tonnes of equipment from industry stocks held at the Oil Spill Service Centre at Southampton has been sent; and we are actively helping to co-ordinate the international response through United Nations bodies, the European Community and other bodies.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for her reply. Can she clarify whether Iraq has released more oil from new sources in the past week? Is she aware that the Saudi Arabian official concerned, Mr. al Gain, is well acquainted with international co-operation and is known to some of us because he is the vice-chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Pollution of the Sea. Does she agree that that should be helpful?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, there has been a further release of oil into the Gulf from the Mina al-Bakr loading terminal. It is the third oil slick in recent weeks. I am aware of Mr. al Gain's record. We must congratulate ACOPS on the work it has done. It was one of the first bodies concerned with marine pollution. I am also aware of my noble friend's connection with the organisation.

Baroness Nicol

My Lords, the noble Baroness said that the RSPCA had offered its expertise. Is any other non-governmental organisation sending help? If so, will the Government be prepared to help them out with finance if necessary and to give them every facility?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, I cannot be specific. We are in touch with many voluntary organisations. As expertise is requested we are facilitating the provision of that assistance and its urgent dispatch to the Gulf.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, can the noble Baroness say whether oil is still flowing from that third source and whether there are other suspected sources of oil which might be turned on by the Iraqis?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, I cannot say what the Iraqis will get up to next and whether they will put yet more oil into the Gulf. All the evidence suggests that the third slick is very large indeed. It threatens the shallow and vulnerable areas of the northern Gulf and is therefore a substantial threat.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, in the second part of her question my noble friend Lady Nicol asked whether adequate financial resources would be given to non-governmental organisations taking part in any clean up operation. She did not receive an answer. Will the Minister be good enough to indicate that government financial support will be forthcoming since she was good enough to say that the work of the non-governmental organisations was welcome?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, the presumption in favour of meeting the costs lies with the Gulf states. So far the cost of sending people out to the Gulf has not been at issue. The Government are doing nothing to inhibit the sending of appropriate expertise to provide assistance.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, what view do the Government take as to why the Iraqis are pumping the oil into the Gulf? Does the noble Baroness agree that until we have a reasonable assumption about the reasons it is difficult to know how many more tonnes of oil will be poured into the Gulf, for what purpose and what we should do about it?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, better minds than mine—and perhaps than of the Government—have spent considerable time and energy trying to read the mind of Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi army. We cannot predict what he may do next.

Baroness Seear

My Lords, the noble Baroness said that the Government would not stand in the way of the non-governmental organisations. Will she answer the question as to whether the Government will give them financial help?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, the Government have met the requests for assistance that have been made so far. We presume in favour of the Gulf states meeting the costs. So far the Government have done nothing to inhibit the appropriate assistance being sent to the Gulf. If requests are made for funds they will be considered.