§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the measures taken by his Department to ensure that ships of the Royal Navy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Port Auxiliary Service comply with internationally and nationally approved rules on pollution.
§ Mr. KirkAll H.M. ships, Royal Fleet auxiliaries and vessels of the Port Auxiliary Service are required by regulations to comply with the terms of the Oil in Navigable Waters Acts and the orders and regulations made under them subject only to overriding operational requirements.
Commanding officers are required to report immediately to their administrative authority any discharge which may occur in contravention of these regulations. The administrative authority is required to take action to contain the pollution and to report the circumstances and action taken to the Ministry of Defence. Disciplinary action would be taken in appropriate cases.