§ Mr. Henry Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply has been given to suggestions made to him that oil on coastal waters and beaches could be successfully treated with lime.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe use of lime and other particulate materials to coagulate oil on the sea has been considered by the Working Party of expert scientists under the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser. Methods which would involve sinking the oil were rejected because oil carried to the bottom of the sea would be harmful to fish and might later be released; but experiments in coagulating oil on the surface are still being continued. Lime and similar materials are not thought likely to be successful for treating oil on beaches.
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government will make a contribution to the appeal launched by the British Broadcasting Corporation for funds to assist towards the heavy expenditure incurred in the cleansing of sea birds from 324W oil discharged from the "Torrey Canyon".
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsYes. In view of the heavy calls which this disaster has made on the resources of the societies the Government have decided to make a once for all grant-in-aid of £5,000 to the Appeal Fund organised jointly by the World Wild Life Fund, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. A Supplementary Estimate for the purpose will be presented to Parliament in due course. In the meantime the necessary funds are being advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund.