HC Deb 09 June 1967 vol 747 cc268-9W
Mr. Miscampbell

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what facilities are available on the Lancashire coast to check, by means of boats or otherwise, suspected oil slicks at sea.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The Board of Trade have standing arrangements under which captains of civil and military aircraft report floating oil patches seen near our shores. On receipt of these reports H.M. Coastguard immediately notify local authorities whose beaches may be threatened so that they can take whatever further measures they consider necessary to check the reports. This can often be done with the co-operation of fishing vessels and civilian aircraft.