Oil Pollution

HC Deb 28 July 1952 vol 504 cc78-9W

61. Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in his discussions with the shipping industry on the subject of oil pollution of beaches around the coast; and whether he is now in a position to indicate what further action it is proposed to take to deal with this inconvenience to holidaymakers and source of destruction of sea birds.

Mr. Braithwaite

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. R. Robinson) on 21st July.

62. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the mass of evidence they have collected over many years, he will appoint a representative of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a member of the committee of inquiry he is setting up in connection with the prevention of pollution by oil round the coasts.

Mr. Braithwaite

In order that the committee of inquiry will not be too large for effective work, my right hon. Friend proposes to restrict it to those who can make a practical contribution towards solving the problem of oil pollution. In addition to the Government Departments concerned, he is inviting the shipping industry, the oil industry the Dock and Harbour Authorities' Association, the British Transport Commission and the Dry Dock Owners and Repairers Central Council to nominate representatives.

I hope, however, that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and similar bodies will make available to the committee such evidence as they have collected.

70. Dr. Bennett

asked the Minister of Transport what attempts have been made to secure the adoption of an International Convention to establish that ships not in port should only discharge overboard oil sludge and waste at points more than 50 miles offshore; and if he will make a statement on the most recent steps and on the present situation in this regard.

Mr. Braithwaite

International conferences to consider the question of oil pollution were held in Washington in 1926 and in Geneva in 1935. At these conferences draft Conventions prohibiting the discharge of oil or oily water within 50 miles from the coast were prepared but they were not signed.

The question was discussed by the Transport and Communications Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 1950 and 1951, and subsequently by the Council itself, which recommended that it should be dealt with by the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (I.M.C.O.) when established.

In the meantime, the Secretary General of the United Nations has asked member Governments to study the problem and to forward the results to him. This is being done. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. R. Robinson) on 21st July.