§ Sir P. Macdonaldasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of complaints of the pollution by oil of the foreshore and sea-wall at Ryde, Isle of Wight; whether he will take steps to ensure that all shipmasters using the Solent waters are made aware of the regulations governing the discharge of oil or oily water; and whether he will give an assurance that the appropriate action under the Oil in Navigable Waters Act is taken to deal with offenders who may be detected in a breach of these regulations
§ Mr. BarnesYes, I was recently informed of this. In 1938 a special notice was issued to masters in regard to the prohibition of oil discharge within territorial limits, and the attention of masters was recently called to this notice. I am however making arrangements for the mercantile marine office at Southampton to call the special attention of shipmasters using the Solent to that notice. Proceedings for offences committed in or in relation to a harbour in England can be instituted only by the harbour authority, and in other cases by persons authorised by the Minister of Agriculture or by myself and I have no reason to doubt that appropriate action will be taken against any person detected offending against the Act.