HL Deb 09 February 1938 vol 107 cc640-2WA
THE EARL OF ILCHESTER

asked His Majesty's Government for the result of the inquiries promised in the debate on oil pollution of the seas (7th April, 1937) on the desirability of installing oil separator barges for use in the commercial harbours of Great Britain.

LORD TEMPLEMORE

Very full inquiries have been made into the system of tank cleaning to which the noble Lord referred in the debate of the 7th April last. These inquiries are now almost complete and it is hoped to furnish the noble Lord with a statement in regard to the system very shortly.

THE EARL OF ILCHESTER

asked His Majesty's Government whether any steps have been taken since the debate on oil pollution of the seas (7th April, 1937) to instal oil separator barges in every important naval harbour in Great Britain; and whether instructions have been issued to all oil-carrying and oil-burning vessels under their jurisdiction to make use of such facilities where provided.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (EARL STANHOPE)

Steps are being taken to provide, at Rosyth and Killingholme, separator barges similar to those already in use at Devonport, Portsmouth and the Medway. The expense of providing such barges at other naval ports is not at present considered justifiable, but this decision will be kept under regular review.

The object of the detailed instruction suggested in the second part of the question would appear to be already secured by the current regulation forbidding His Majesty's Ships and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries to discharge oil or oily matter into the sea within fifty miles of the coast.

House adjourned at ten minutes past four o'clock.