§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy towards the recommendations in the report commissioned by the British Chamber of Shipping concerning the discharge of oil at sea, a copy of which is in his possession.
§ Mr. OnslowI understand that the hon. Member's Question relates to a report which has not yet been made available outside the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom. If a copy is received in this Department, we shall consider whether any statement is necessary.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reply he has made to the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation concerning its proposals for a ban on the discharge of oil at sea.
§ Mr. Cranley OnslowThe International Conference on Marine Pollution, to be convened in October, 1973, by the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation, will have before it a number of proposals for eliminating deliberate pollution of the sea by oil, including some proposals for banning all discharges. The attitude of the United Kingdom delegation towards the various proposals will be fully considered before the conference.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what machinery exists for monitoring the coastline for oil pollution and for oil slicks at sea and how the information is recorded.
§ Mr. OnslowStanding arrangements exist for ships and aircraft to report oil slicks at sea and any incidents likely to cause oil pollution. These reports, together with any from sources ashore, are co-ordinated by Her Majesty's Coastguard, which also carries out regular patrols of beaches. The information is recorded at the point of receipt and in my Department's Marine Division, and the Department of the Environment and the Welsh and Scottish Offices are kept informed.