§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish details of recent co-operation with the French Government on the long-term effect of sinking oil and forecasts of slick movements on the lines proposed by the Select Committee on Science and Technology on Coastal Pollution.
§ Mr. MulleyHer Majesty's Embassy in Paris maintain contact with the French Authorities concerned with research on oil pollution. Exchanges of information on oil pollution also take place direct between the scientific bodies concerned and at the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. Our co-operation with the French Authorities in this field includes a study of the methods used by the French in dealing with the Torrey Canyon oil; it is likely that Her Majesty's Government will publish scientific articles on significant aspects.
The Agreement on co-operative measures for dealing with major oil slicks in the North Sea and the English Channel, including reporting the movements of oil slicks, will be signed on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, as soon as it is open for signature. I hope that the French Government will become a party to the Agreement, which will be published after signature.