§ 143. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the increasing damage being done by the jettisoning of oil refuse from oil-burning and oil-carrying vessels and if he will institute an inquiry with a view to eliminating this danger to bird life and coastal resorts.
§ Mr. MaclayI am aware that considerable pollution of parts of our coast by oil occurs from time to time, but it is extremely difficult to discover its source and I have no evidence that the jettisoning of oil refuse from oil-burning or oil-carrying ships near our coasts is a major cause. The analysis of samples of oil washed ashore last year on the Cornish coast suggested that the oil had been in the sea for a considerable time. It may have come from vessels sunk during the war or it may have drifted in from many miles out at sea.
My Department has recently made extensive inquiries of the authorities around the coast and other interests concerned 130W When the replies have been collated I will consider what further action I can usefully take in the matter.