HC Deb 23 October 1953 vol 518 cc311-2W
Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation in view of the fact that the greatest single factor in the problem of the pollution of the sea by oil is the persistence and indestructibility of the oil, what chemical research is being undertaken with a view to discovering means of dispersing oily waste.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In their recent Report the Committee on the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil recommended that the desirability of initiating such research should be considered. This will be followed up, but I am advised that any research into the chemical treatment of oil must take time to produce results and that an early solution of the problem of oil pollution must be sought in other directions. These I have under urgent consideration.