§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking in conjunction with the relevant county and municipal authorities to eliminate the pollution by oil of the sea at British seaside resorts.
§ Mr. MarplesThe discharge of oil into the seas; surrounding our coasts is an offence under the oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1955. I take a grave view of such offences. Wherever practicable, the offenders are prosecuted. Offences by foreign vessels are reported to their Governments.
Whenever H.M. Coastguard become aware that floating oil is likely to come ashore they warn the local authority concerned.
I hope that the new system of tanker operations recently announced by leading British oil companies will bring about a great reduction in pollution of the sea by oil.
117WAt my request the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research are investigating possible methods of reducing pollution still further.
The Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation has recently set up a Sub-Committee on Oil Pollution to promote and coordinate international action in this field.