HC Deb 25 January 1972 vol 829 cc390-1W
Mr. Gardner

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what precautions he is taking, in view of recent events, to protect beaches in north-west Lancashire, and in particular on the Fylde coast, from explosive, chemical and other dangerous substances.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

The Police have standing arrangements on action to be taken to deal with explosives found on the shore. In the event of other harmful substances found on the beaches the Government will always be prepared to consider what steps are necessary in the particular circumstances to supplement local resources and initiatives for dealing with them.

The transport of dangerous goods by sea in British ships is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Rules. This is also under review by the Inter-Governmental Marine Consultative Organisation.