§ Mr. Jeffrey Archerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans 120W he has for the future for the prevention of oil pollution on the beaches.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsAn effective early warning system already is in operation, whereby ships and aircraft report oil seen floating on the sea. These messages are relayed through the Coastguard network to all the relevant authorities in the area likely to be affected. Detailed arrangements also provide for the treatment of substantial spillages of oil while still on the sea to prevent this reaching the beaches so far as this is practicable having regard to the amount of warning received, weather conditions and the hours of daylight remaining. Sea-going tugs are ready at 30 selected ports round the coast for this purpose and are fitted with special oil dispersal equipment. Local authorities are responsible for inshore waters up to about a mile from shore.
Research into new methods of prevention continue such as in the development of a suitable, easily manoeuvrable boom for containing oil in open sea conditions and in trials on a chemical suitable for spraying on the sea and also on the beaches to prevent the incoming oil from settling on the beach material. Local authorities are advised when new equipment and materials become available which will result in more effective prevention and disposal methods for dealing with oil pollution.
In the international context an international marine pollution conference is to be held in London in October to consider strengthening the existing provisions relating to accidental and operational discharge of oil at sea.