§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress has been made in bringing into force the 1969 Amendments to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil 1954.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe amendments will come into force 12 months after376W they have been accepted by two-thirds of the contracting parties to the Convention. I understand that the necessary number of acceptances has now been received and the amendments will come into force on 19th January 1978. These amendments, which have been mandatory on British ships since 1973, mark a substantial step forward in the international battle against pollution at sea.