§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals exist for a 42W programme to combat chemical and oil pollution in international waters.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe question is under consideration at the current session of the Law of the Sea Conference in Geneva, at which the United Kingdom, together with other States, has co-sponsored certain proposals. Her Majesty's Government have signed 14 conventions and agreements, of both regional and world-wide application, concerning the pollution of the sea by oil, effluent and chemical wastes. The possible improvement and extension of these measures is under continuous study. I hope that a meeting will be held in London this autumn to consider a further convention on civil liability for oil pollution and damage resulting from the exploration and exploitation of submarine mineral resources.