§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current estimate of the costs incurred by his Department and agencies for which his Department is responsible in the clearing up operation which followed the grounding of the MV Braer on Shetland in January 1993. [17698]
§ Mr. BowisThe marine pollution control unit, part of my Department's Coastguard agency, incurred costs of some £2.6 million in the clean-up operation following the grounding of the MV Braer. The Government have consistently said that their claim in respect of these costs and those incurred by the Scottish Office should be at the back of the queue for compensation.