HC Deb 24 November 1975 vol 901 cc52-3W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost to central Government in each year since 1966 of clearing oil slicks threatening the southern coast of England.

Mr. Denis Howell

The accompanying table gives the net cost to central Government for clearance of oil pollution on the coast from Cornwall to Kent in the financial years since 1968–69 when regular payments first began. The figure included for 1967 relates solely to the Torrey Canyon incident.

Year Unrecovered cost to central Government
£
1967 1,100,000
1968–69 7,000
1969–70 11,700
1970–71 89,300
1971–72 30,600
1972–73 6,000
1973–74 24,400
1974–75 Nil

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the cost to central Government of clearing up the oil slick arising out of the collision between HMS "Achilles" and "Olympic Alliance".

Mr. Denis Howell

The cost incurred by central Government and local authorities in clearing up this oil slick has not yet been established. A claim will be made against the appropriate body.