§ LORD KENNETasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why it is that, while roughly half of the cost to local and central Government of dealing with oil pollution round the coast was recovered from those who spilled the oil, or from their insurers, in 1966–67 and 1969–70, yet none was recovered in 1967–68 and 1968–69.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNFor recovery of costs to be possible the source of the spillage has to be known and liability established. In 1966–67 the only recorded source was the "Torrey Canyon", and the figures relate wholly to that incident. In 1969–70, some £57,000 spent on clearing oil spilled by the Norwegian tanker "Thorshov" while berthed at Fawley was recovered through the Tanker Owners' Voluntary Agreement concerning Liability for Oil Pollution (TOVALOP). The remainder of that year's expenditure, and all the expenditure in 1967–68 and 1968–69, was incurred by local authorities, primarily in clearing up oil from unknown sources.
The entry into force in October, 1969, of TOVALOP has greatly facilitated recovery of the cost of clearing up pollution caused by oil from participating ships. The situation will be progressively improved as the various provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution) Bill are implemented.