§ Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he has to protect the Fal estuary and the River Helford against oil pollution from the wreckage of the "Torrey Canyon" by means of booms.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe Fal estuary was originally protected by a plastic foam boom. This broke away from its moorings, and investigations are under way with several different types of boom in case it becomes necessary to replace the original one. In the Helford River an air bubble boom and a boom of polythene-wrapped straw bales have been placed as an experiment across the narrows seaward of the ferry.
§ Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further proposals he has to protect the estuaries of Cornwall from oil pollution resulting from the wreckage of the "Torrey Canyon".
§ Mr. GreenwoodExperience has shown that booms where practicable provide the best method of protecting estuaries from large scale oil pollution. Supplies of boom materials are held at Plymouth and are available to local authorities should need arise. The Boom Advisory Unit at Plymouth and the Department's technical officers are available to advise.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what 133W proposals he has for erecting a barrier to prevent oil from the "Torrey Canyon" coming up the Severn Estuary.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe Severn Estuary is not at present threatened by oil from the "Torrey Canyon", and I should not be justified in encouraging the local authorities to provide a barrier.