§ 61. Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking to trace the source of the thick tarry oil patch nearly a mile wide which is threatening to pollute beaches in Sussex.
§ Mr. MarplesI assume that the hon. Member is referring to an oil patch at Shoreham which was mentioned in theSunday Times of 23rd April. This was inspected on the previous day by H.M. District Officer of Coastguard, who reported several small patches of oil on the beach over a distance of 150 yards. He could not find any large floating patch and has been unable to trace the source of the pollution.
112W1957, which was signed by the U.K. on 25th February, 1958, subject to ratification, requires acceding Governments to make it an offence to cross or straddle a continuous line. The application of the double white line system in this country is not yet complete. Until it is, the old single solid line, which it is not an offence to cross, will remain on some roads. As long as this is so we are not in a position to meet the requirements of the Agreement and ratify it.