HC Deb 31 October 1949 vol 469 c7W
68. Mr. Bartlett

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to obtain consideration and acceptance of the draft convention of 1935 to put an end to oil pollution by ships inside territorial waters.

Mr. Barnes

The draft International Convention of 1935 was drawn up by an Expert Committee of the League of Nations, but consideration of it by the various countries concerned had not been completed by the outbreak of war. International discussion of the problem would be appropriate to the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation when it is established. When the time comes I will consider putting it before them. I might add that the discharge of oil within British territorial waters is an offence under the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1922.