§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of reported incidents in the Irish sea involving marine pollution from shipping indicating(a) the number investigated, (b) the number involved in legal proceedings and (c) the number resulting in prosecution.
§ Mr. NorrisOver the last three years the Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit has received the following number of reports of pollution in the Irish sea:
Number 1991 50 1992 42 1993 54 The majority of these reports will have been related to bilge or tank washings with no ship being identified.
All incidents were followed up by MPCU and investigated where appropriate. The following number of port state control inspections was requested.
Number 1991 1 1992 1 1993 2 In 1991, one vessel was referred to the flag state for further investigation by the relevant competent authority, who subsequently decided that there was insufficient evidence upon which to effect a prosecution.