Dr. Bennettasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the area of oil occupying the surface of Southampton Water and the Hamble River on 12th May, 1965; and if he will take urgent action to prosecute those responsible, in view of the fact that nobody will accept this responsibility locally, and that this discharge of oil is causing much damage.
§ Mr. MasonI have been asked to reply.
Inquiries by officials of the Southampton Harbour Board, within whose jurisdiction the area of oil is located, and by officials of the Board of Trade, have failed to establish responsibility for the pollution. In these circumstances, I regret that there is no basis for a prosecution.