§ Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government accept recommendation No. 626 on the legal aspect of marine pollution which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 21st January, 1971; and whether they will contribute to the preparation, within the framework of the Council of Europe, of a draft agreement concerning a ban on the discharge of certain pollutants into the sea, and the necessary controls, as recommended in paragraph 8(b)(i) of this text.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleHer Majesty's Government agree that, as stated in recommendation No. 626, the problem of marine pollution should be tackled on a multilateral as well as on a national basis. A conference of countries interested in the North Sea was held in Oslo in Octo-8W ber. Good progress was made towards a convention, which it is hoped to conclude in the near future, on the control of pollution, in particular from dumping, in the North-East Atlantic area. A global ocean dumping convention is being discussed under United Nations auspices.
Principles concerning marine pollution are being drafted by an Intergovernmental Working Group in preparation for the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Further international agreements on oil pollution are under discussion in the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation for conclusion at its 1973 conference.
Her Majesty's Government attach importance to and are playing a leading role in all these activities. However, as described above, most of the work advocated in recommendation No. 626 is already in hand or nearing completion and further initiatives in the Council of Europe are not necessary.