§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the latest developments concerning the oil tanker "Tarpenbeck" which was in collision off Selsey Bill in June.
§ Mr. TebbitI have today placed in the Library a report prepared by my Department in consultation with others concerned, entitled "The Tarpenbeck Incident". It describes how matters progressed, in relation to the damaged tanker, from the initial distress message to the successful removal of the oil cargo and the departure of the empty vessel from our shores.
I congratulate all concerned on completing the operation without any coastal pollution.
Our preliminary inquiry into the cause of the collision between the "Tarpenbeck" and the "Sir Geraint" is well advanced.