§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress is being made in consultation with the shipping industry and other interested parties in overcoming such technical problems as need to be overcome in order that satisfactory legislation to implement the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisAt its sixth session in November/December last year the Marine Environment Protection Committee of IMCO finalised work on:
- (a) guidelines to determine the adequacy of shore reception facilities for oily wastes from ships;
- (b) a specification for oil/water separating equipment and oil content meters for use in ships;
- (c) standards and guidelines for sewage treatment plant on board ships.
The Committee considered and agreed a paper submitted by the United Kingdom setting down the outstanding problems requiring solution before the convention can be implemented, and accepted that these now be regarded as the committee's prime objective.
Various countries, including the United Kingdom, are carrying out intersessional work in readiness for the next meeting of the committee from 20th to 24th June.