§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received regarding the further pollution of the seas and oceans by oil; what action he proposes to take in the United Kingdom to reduce such pollution; what international co-operation is taking place in this field; if he will seek to impose more stringent controls and fines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleRepresentations are received from many sources, including the Advisory Committee on Oil Pollution of the Sea, which recently published an annual report.
In 1969, the United Kingdom Government helped to secure the adoption by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) of amendments to the relevant international convention to limit the discharge of oil at sea. We propose to apply these to British ships shortly and would be one 204W of the first countries to take such action. New devices to minimise the danger of pollution from oil slicks where these occur are being tried out. Next year, an IMCO conference will seek ways of achieving the complete elimination of pollution of the sea by deliberate discharge from ships and the minimisation of accidental discharges.
The Oil in Navigable Waters Acts, 1955 to 1971, provide for a maximum fine of £50,000 on summary conviction or an unlimited fine on indictment for unlawful discharges of oil; these penalties are, I believe, adequate for the time being.