§ Mr. E. J. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has 1291W considered a communication from the South Wales sea fisheries as regards oil pollution around the coast of Great Britain; and what steps he proposes to take on the resolutions contained therein?
Mr. StanleyI have received from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister the communication to which the hon. Member refers. As the hon. Member will be aware, this matter has been the subject of inquiry by an International Committee set up by the League of Nations. I hope that it will in due course be possible to arrange an International Conference to consider the draft convention which has been prepared on this subject.
In view of this, and of the doubt which exists as to the desirability of insisting that every type of oil-burning and oil-carrying vessel should be fitted with separators, it would be impracticable for His Majesty's Government to require, as suggested in the resolution referred to, that all such ships using United Kingdom ports should be fitted with separators.