§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Trade how much oil per day can be treated in Orkney and Shetland in the event of a spill at Scapa Flow, the Pentland Firth or the approaches to Sullom Voe.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisIn the initial stage of an operation, it would be necessary to rely on local resources. We would expect five dispersant spraying vessels to be available in Scapa Flow or the Pentland Firth and up to 10 vessels in the approaches to Sullom Voe, each capable of dealing with up to 15 tons of oil per daylight hour. Some of the resources located in Orkney could, if necessary, then be used to assist off Shetland and vice versa, and additional resources would be brought in from elsewhere, as required.
The adequacy of these arrangements is under examination and in any event the director of the new marine pollution control unit will no doubt wish to give consideration to this matter when he takes up his appointment.