§ Lord BROCKWAYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have ratified the Convention initiated by the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation governing compensation for damage by pollution; and whether the eight Governments necessary for enforcement have now ratified it.
§ Baroness STEDMANHer Majesty's Government ratified the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971, on 2nd April 1976. The Convention's entry into force requirements were recently met. It will enter into force on 16th October next and the new compensation will be payable for incidents occurring after a further 120 days.