§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he intends introducing regulations to ensure that oil companies do not leave debris on the bed of the North Sea and how many instances of damage caused by such debris have been reported to him.
§ Mr. StrangOn 27th June the Dumping at Sea Act 1974 received Royal Assent. It prohibits, except by licence, the permanent deposit of any substance or article in the sea, and sets out penalties for offences. This will enable the United Kingdom to ratify the Oslo and London Conventions for the prevention of marine pollution by dumping at sea. In most cases of damage attributed to seabed debris the evidence produced has not conclusively pointed to a particular company or industry as having responsibility.
§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Energy what investigations in his Department have been made or are being made or will be made into the setting up of a compensation fund by the oil companies for providing damages to fishermen in cases of (1) damage and (2) loss of fishing grounds.
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§ Mr. StrangThe Submarine Telegraph Act 1885, as amended by the Continental Shelf Act 1964, makes provision for payment of compensation to fishermen who sacrifice their gear in order to avoid damage to a pipeline. It is expected that this and other questions of compensation will be discussed by the new consultative body involving the fishing industry, the offshore oil industry and Government Departments, which will shortly be established.