§ Mr. Pardoeasked the President of the Board of Trade how many reports of merchant ships leaking or disposing of oil into British coastal waters have been received by his Department in the last year; how many of these ships have been identified; and what action was taken.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuOne hundred and five reports in 1966. In 89 of these reports a vessel was named. Forty-four prosecutions were undertaken by harbour authorities or conservancy boards. By the end of the year, 27 convictions had been obtained, 10 cases remained to be heard in court, and the possibility of legal proceedings was being considered in three further cases. Representations relating to nine foreign ships were made to the Governments concerned.
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that the British holiday industry is not threatened by oil pollution of beaches.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe Board of Trade will continue to use every available means to enforce the law which prohibits the discharge of oil into the seas surrounding our coasts. Whenever practicable offenders are prosecuted. Offences by foreign vessels are reported to their Governments. The law will shortly be310W strengthened when the Amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil come into force in May, 1967. However, it must be recognised that in the event of shipwreck or other serious marine casualty some pollution of the sea may be unavoidable.
§ Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in reaching further international agreement on the problems of oil pollution at sea especially of that resulting from shipwrecks.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuAmendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil designed to strengthen the laws against pollution will shortly come into force for the ships of all the 31 member countries. Research is proceeding in a number of countries on methods for the confinement of oil and for its removal from the surface of the sea. Progress in this matter is kept under continuous review in the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. However, it must be recognised that in the event of shipwreck or other serious marine casualty some pollution of the sea may be unavoidable.