HC Deb 27 October 1995 vol 264 cc872-3W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of tankers dumping oil at sea have been recorded by his Department in the last five years; and how many incidents have resulted in the prosecution of the companies owning the tankers. [39338]

Mr. Norris

This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Elliot Morley, dated 27 October 1995: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive. The Coastguard Agency does not record incidents of illegal discharge by vessel type. However, details of significant incidents in which the Agency's Marine Pollution Control Unit has been directly involved show that between 1990 and 1994 (53 incidents) there were 37 incidents involving tankers. Most of these related to collisions, groundings, breakdowns and machinery malfunctions, not all of which involved spilled oil. One case was successfully prosecuted for a MARPOL offence, three were referred to Flag states (outcome awaited) and two were referred for Port State Control Inspections and subsequently cleared.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which legislation regulates the dumping of oil at sea by tankers carrying either bilge oil or crude oil. [39336]

Mr. Norris

This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Elliot Morley dated 27 October 1995: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about regulations on the dumping of bilge oil or crude oil from tankers. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 Annex I, (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil), as amended by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78 Annex 1) to that Convention applies. The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 1983, as subsequently amended, give effect to this Convention and Protocol to United Kingdom (UK) ships, wherever they may be, and to other ships in UK waters.