§ Mr. Bostonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what discussions have taken place between the Government and local authorities in Kent about protection of the coast from oil pollution following the "Torrey Canyon" disaster; what precautions are now being taken; and what further steps are envisaged;
(2) to what extent there is now a threat of oil pollution to the Kent coast arising from the "Torrey Canyon" disaster;
(3) to what extent there is now a threat of oil pollution to the north-east coast of Kent, and in particular the Isle of Sheppey, River Swale, Medway and 68W Thames estuary areas; and what steps are being taken to meet it;
(4) if he will give an assurance that all possible steps are being taken to overcome any threat of oil pollution to the Kent coast, including the Sheppey, Swale, Medway and Thames estuary areas.
§ Mr. GreenwoodOn present information there is no threat of oil pollution from the "Torrey Canyon" to any part of the Kent coast. Precautionary measures in Kent have been co-ordinated by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary, who has had a number of discussions with the local authorities. The measures taken include the issue by the Department of technical advice on the cleaning of polluted beaches, an appraisal by the county council of the equipment and manpower available to district councils for this work, and the building up of a small stockpile of detergents.