HC Deb 24 July 1973 vol 860 cc424-5W
Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will seek to negotiate with the Irish and the French Governments with regard to joint representations being made to Denmark over the proposed dumping at sea south of Ireland of toxic chemical wastes including cyanide;

(2) if he will make representations as a matter of urgency to the Government of Denmark to halt the proposed dumping of toxic waste, including cyanide, in international waters south of Ireland;

(3) if he will take action under the provisions of the Oslo Convention of 15th February 1972 following the proposed dumping at sea of chemical toxic waste south of Ireland by a Danish company.

Mr. Anthony Royle

The Oslo Convention has not yet received the seven ratifications necessary before it can come into effect, but in the meantime the signatories, which include Denmark, have agreed that they will act in conformity with the convention as if it had come into effect. Her Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that the proposed dumping in Atlantic waters west of the Bay of Biscay, of which we have been duly notified by the Danish authorities, does not conform with the provisions of the convention, and therefore Her Majesty's Government are not called upon to make representations or take any other action in respect of the dumping.

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