§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to require the nuclear industry to take account of the best available technology in order to reduce radioactive discharges into the aqueous environment from all their installations, including reprocessing plants.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe United Kingdom already complies with the 1985 recommendation of the Paris Commission on the prevention of marine pollution from land-based sources that
The contracting parties to the Paris Commission on the prevention of marine pollution from land based sources declare their firm intention to respect the applicable recommendations of the competent international organisations and to this end to take account of the best available technology in order to reduce radioactive discharges coming from all nuclear industries including reprocessing plants into the marine environment".
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to ensure that officers and crews of vessels visiting United Kingdom shores are regularly and comprehensively informed of the extant regulations concerning discharge from vessels into the sea.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have been asked to reply.
During the drafting of legislation the Department of Transport consults widely with seafaring unions and shipping organisations, and issues explanatory merchant shipping notices when considered necessary. The shipping industry, both national and international, is generally aware of the regulations covering discharges from ships into the sea, and ships, in any event, are required to be surveyed and issued with oil pollution prevention certificates under the terms of the Marpol convention.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evaluation he has made of the effects of the Marpol convention 73/78 on the quality of the North sea; and if he will make a statement on its effectiveness.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have been asked to reply.
Responsibility for the control of shipping in accordance with the Marpol convention 73/78 rests with the Department of Transport.
682WThe Department is currently evaluating the quantity of oil that is being discharged into the North sea following the entry into force of annex I of Marpol 73/78. First indications are that the quality of oil entering the North sea from ships has been drastically reduced.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how frequently airborne surveillance systems fly over the North sea to detect oil and noxious liquid spills;
(2) if Her Majesty's Government employ airborne surveillance systems, functioning independently of visibility, in detecting oil and noxious liquid spills in the North sea.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 26 November 1986, at column 283. Outside major shipping casualty spills, the use of airborne surveillance systems as all-weather, day-night, detectors of oil and other noxious liquid spills from ships is still being evaluated. This will involve 400–450 hours of research flying over the North sea and other United Kingdom coastal waters during the next nine months.