HC Deb 20 November 1978 vol 958 cc471-3W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington, Official Report, 13th November, columns 85–6, whether any of the employees referred to in that answer were formerly employed by Her Majesty's Government on work connected with oil pollution.

Mr. Clinton Davis

I am aware that one of the employees of these two companies was formerly employed by the Government on work connected with oil pollution. I am not aware of the details of all the employees of those two companies, and it may be that others had also previously been employed by the Government.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington, Official Report, 13th November, columns 84–5, why his answer makes no reference to Oil Recovery International of Christchurch, Dorset.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Because Oil Mop (UK) Ltd. is the registered name of the company which trades as Oil Recovery International.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his Written Answers to the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington, Official Report. 13th November, columns 84–5, why he states that the oil mop device developed by Oil Recovery International Ltd., of Christchurch, Dorset, is suitable only for use close inshore and in sheltered waters when the device has now been developed to the point where the manufacturers can guarantee its use in the open sea in wind conditions up to force seven.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Because the devices in question are only suitable for use close inshore and in sheltered waters. We understand that Oil Mop (UK) Ltd., in association with another company, is in the process of developing a system for use in the open seas employing a large "Oil Mop" rope. We also understand that a full scale model is not yet available for test and evaluation.