§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of his Department towards extending knowledge of the North sea by more intensified monitoring and scientific research.
§ Mr. GummerMy Ministry undertakes a considerable programme of monitoring and research in the marine environment in support of its statutory responsibilities. The level of resources committed to this programme is kept under regular review and has more than doubled between 1978–79 and 1985–86.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what is the policy of his Department towards the avoidance of dumping, as well as incineration, at sea of wastes which could be harmful to the North sea.
§ Mr. GummerI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 25 November at column182.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government have exchanged their experience with dumping at sea, and other forms of disposal of severely contaminated dredged materials to be disposed of in the North sea, with other nations.
§ Mr. GummerYes. Such exchanges take place regularly within the framework of the Oslo convention and the London dumping convention, and through bilateral contacts.