HC Deb 22 November 1972 vol 846 cc407-8W
64. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Solent Protection Society requesting that the Solent be controlled by a single authority with special responsibility for pollution control; what replies he has sent; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Rippon

I have received such representations and I am sending the hon. Member and the Solent Protection Society copies of the relevant consultation papers.

Mr. Parkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping relate to the right to approach a ship of another country suspected of illegal dumping at sea.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Article VII of the draft convention requires each contracting party to implement the provisions of the convention in relation to ships registered in its territory or flying its flag, loading in its territory or territorial seas, or believed to be engaged in dumping under its jurisdiction. The parties are required to take appropriate measures in their territories to prevent and punish conduct in contravention of the convention. Article VII also provides that the parties shall develop procedures for the reporting of ships observed dumping in contravention of the convention. Both this article and Article XIII of the draft convention make it clear that nothing in the convention prejudices the codification and development of the law of the sea by the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.