§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to improve environmental protection following the grounding of the Sea Empress. [18468]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Department of the Environment will continue to liaise closely with the statutory environmental protection and nature conservation agencies. The agencies are currently advising local authorities on the best means of ensuring environmental protection in the wake of the Sea Empress oil spill. That advice is being given on the basis of experience and on the findings and recommendations given by the ecological steering groups on the oil spill in Shetland after the grounding of the Braer in January 1993. The success of measures undertaken to protect the environment, and specifically wildlife and habitats, will be reviewed in the light of experience gained in dealing with the current incident.