HC Deb 22 February 1980 vol 979 cc581-2W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the position of the "Aeolian Sky" and on its cargo as soon as the divers he has commissioned have completed their task of examination of the ship.

Mr. Tebbit

Divers contracted by my Department carried out a reconnaissance of the "Aeolian Sky" on 25 and 26 February and their detailed report is awaited. Preliminary indications are, however, that most chemicals which could have broken away from the upper deck have already done so either before or after the vessel sank. Furhermore, the divers confirm my Department's earlier view that any cargo recovery operation could not be undertaken before late spring.