§ Commander Keransasked the Minister of Power what instructions he has issued to companies prospecting for oil off the North-East Coast regarding the use of explosives; and if he is aware that trawls and nets are being damaged in this way.
§ Mr. ErrollNone. Contracting companies known to be operating in the North Sea are, however, requested by the Ministry of Transport not to explode any charges when any vessel is within half a nautical mile of the operations or within one nautical mile if the charges are in excess of 50 lb. The companies maintain contact with local officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries 131W and Food who have not reported any damage to trawls and nets by the use of these explosives.