HC Deb 31 May 1961 vol 641 cc19-20W
42. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has designed a new oil filter which is much more efficient than those at present in use on cargo-ships and oil-tankers and which would help to keep beaches clean; if he will, as a preliminary to securing mutual agreement to use these filters by the 12 countries who have signed the International Convention on Oil Pollution, make it compulsory for this machine to be fitted on British vessels; and if he will make a statement.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have undertaken a programme of research on the separation of oil from water at my right hon. Friend's request and I am aware of the pebble bed filter which they are now developing. It has not yet been developed beyond the laboratory scale. Under the present requirements the separators which must be fitted in United Kingdom ships which use bunker fuel tanks for ballast water must leave no more than 50 parts of oil in one million parts of the treated water.

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