§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement detailing the progress he has made in consultation with the shipping industry and other interested parties regarding the introduction of legislation to implement the 1973 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisAs I have said previously, there are a number of technical problems to be overcome before the 1973 Convention can be fully implemented. In consequence of a United Kingdom initiative in IMCO the obstacles to ratification are to be 395W specially reviewed at the next session of that organisation's Marine Environment Protection Committee at the end of November. A paper to be tabled by the United Kingdom delegation is being prepared, and I will send a copy to the hon. Member when it is ready.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many incidents of oil pollution affecting coastal waters have been observed by, or reported to, officers of his Department in the past 12 months; and what has been the cost to the Exchequer of undertaking any remedial measures to deal with such pollution.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis100 sighting reports of oil slicks at sea were received by my Department during the period 1st July 1975 to 30th June 1976. Remedial action was in general taken only in cases of confirmed reports where coastal pollution was threatened. The cost to my Department of the seven occasions on which action was required amounted to some £90,000. Of this total, some £80,000 related to instances in which the polluting ships were identified, and claims for reimbursement will be made against the owners or insurers of these vessels.