HC Deb 05 April 1971 vol 815 cc11-2W
65 and 66. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps he proposes to take to ensure that his Department is kept informed of the passage of ships through the English Channel carrying hazardous cargoes other than petroleum products;

(2) if he will now hold urgent discussions through the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation with a view to setting up an early warning system for any ship carrying hazardous cargoes other than petroleum products passing through the English Channel.

Mr. Noble

A number of British ports require advance warning of the arrival of vessels carrying certain dangerous goods. The development of an early warning system for ships carrying dangerous cargoes through the English Channel without calling at British ports would involve close co-operation of all countries whose ships ply in this international waterway. Discussions in the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative

the members of the E.E.C. do not enjoy any special tax or quota preferences in our market.

Following are the import figures requested:

Organisation are concentrating on international agreement on methods of safe containment.