§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Prime Minister if he will unify departmental responsibility for coastal and marine matters including incidents of oil pollution.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 12 February 1993]: No. The present division of responsibilities within Government for coastal and marine matters provides a comprehensive system of management. Coastal issues cannot be artificially isolated from the mainstream of policy-making across Government. Responsibility for preventing and responding to marine pollution lies clearly with the Department of Transport, which liaises with other Departments as appropriate.