§ Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she will list the responsibilities her Department has with regard to the prevention of oil pollution;
(2) what arrangements her Department has for co-ordinating its activities in the prevention of oil pollution with those of other Departments; and if she is satisfied with the arrangements in the light of recent collisons and explosions in the English Channel.
§ Mrs. ThatcherMy Department has no responsibility for control of oil pollution, but the research councils undertake research on the nature and effects of oil pollution and methods of dealing with it. In particular, the Natural Environment Research Council collaborates in providing scientific advice on methods of dealing with oil pollution.