§ 43. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what per- 276W mission has been given to industrial firms in the past to dump chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in the sea; what is his policy in the future in view of the established effect on marine life; and what studies he is undertaking on the problems of control, depth of water, ocean currents, solubility and concentration associated with these residues.
§ Mr. Hoy:Under the voluntary arrangements operated by my Department agreement has been given to dump in very deep waters small quantities of these residues sealed in containers. All applications are very carefully examined to ensure that the disposal arrangements will not cause human or biological hazards and we intend that these detailed procedures should continue. In addition to advising on specific applications for dumping, scientists of my Department are continually studying the effects of these substances on marine life, including matters such as the rate of dispersal in the sea.