§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what environmental impact assessment he has made of the transhipment of oil by BP by pipeline from the Seillean to oil tanks in waters off Scapa Flow; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe transhipment referred to relates to a ship-to-ship transfer of oil within the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow. This was authorised by the Orkney Islands council, as the harbour authority, after consultation with the oil pollution liaison committee on which Scottish National Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds are represented. The transhipments were only permitted in good weather and with pollution prevention vessels in attendance. Vessels were escorted in and out of Scapa Flow by two tugs. Neither the Department of Transport nor the Department of Trade and Industry requires an environmental impact assessment for these operations.