§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date his Department was informed that drums containing dimethylamine had been lost overboard from the Somali motorship "Atlantic Ocean" on 19th December; what action was taken; on what date his Department informed the Department of the Environment; and why the delay occurred.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe Coastguard, which is in my Department, was informed on 19th December, 1971, the day the loss occurred, and immediately notified local authorities and interests in the area likely to be affected if the drums came ashore. The Coastguard sent a reminder to local authorities when the drums from the "Germania" began to appear. It would be for local authorities to decide whether to call on the Government for assistance and in that event they would seek such assistance through the Department of the Environment.