§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil transfers have taken place off the coast of South Devon in Lyme Bay in each of the last 10 years. [177202]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe number of ship-to-ship transfers of oil conducted in Lyme Bay in each of the last 10 years is tabled as follows:
Number of transfers 1995 0 1996 0 1997 1 1998 0 1999 0 2000 1 2001 4 2002 1 2003 3 2004 to date 0
§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the contingency plans drawn up by Devon, Torbay and Plymouth councils for coping with oil pollution spills; and whether those plans have been assessed in the light of projected levels of future oil transfers in Lyme Bay. [177203]
§ Mr. JamiesonEvery local authority contingency plan is risk assessed against pollution threats to the relevant local authority's area. All contingency plans are also assessed to ensure they are aligned with the UK's National Contingency Plan. The plans of the three councils in question have been exercised in the last 18 months and comply with UK policy.
§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a)numerical and (b)percentage change in the number of oil transfers in Lyme Bay he has projected for the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [177204]
§ Mr. JamiesonThere is no projection of numbers of ship-to-ship oil transfers in Lyme Bay, as my Department is currently reviewing a number of draft proposals concerning the regulation of ship-to-ship transfer activities within UK territorial seas.