Dr. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that large masses of the "Torrey Canyon" oil have now descended on the coasts of the Channel Islands and northern France, in spite of previous assurances by Her Majesty's Government that all such oil had been totally dispersed, and that no more remained afloat; what recent surveys have been made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsAerial reconnaissance indicated that by 6th April there was no oil at sea thick enough to require continued spraying by detergent, and that there was no immediate threat 51W of further crude oil reaching the Cornish coast. Almost daily reconnaissance has subsequently shown little change in this situation. Oil which reached the coasts of the Channel Islands and northern France is understood to have been already treated with detergent; oil which has recently repolluted some parts of the Cornish coast is considered to be old oil which the spring tides have washed back into the sea from inaccessible coves and inlets.