§ 51. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if research is being done into the cleansing of oil from animals; and, if not, whether in view of the serious contamination of sheep from bunker oil he will initiate such research.
§ Mr. BishopNo. My right hon. Friend has no plans to initiate such research.
The practice of discharging oily ballast water from oil tankers is prohibited by international law and there are heavy penalties under United Kingdom law—the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971. Aerial surveillance is being maintained by the aircraft of the oil companies on approach routes to the Sullom Voe oil terminal.