§ Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the fact that if effective measures are to be introduced to deal with oil pollution of the sea it will be necessary to develop efficient separating apparatus for use in ships and harbours, he will consult the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research as to what steps should be taken to stimulate research and development in this country of apparatus and methods in this connection.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Faulkner Committee referred in their Report to tests carried out at their request on various makes of oily water separators, of which considerable numbers are now fitted in ships, and also to methods of disposal and treatment of oily residue ashore. They concluded that the majority of separators on the market in this country can, with proper use, be relied on to give a satisfactory performance, although there is scope for improvement. I am considering the desirability of drawing up a performance specification for the guidance of manufacturers and ship owners.