§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) whether it is the Government's policy that all tankers should be fitted with segregated ballast tanks;
(2) whether all new tankers are now fitted with segregated ballast tanks.
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§ Mr. Clinton DavisSegregated ballast tanks are one means of reducing operational pollution by oil tankers. There are, however, practical and economic difficulties in the way of converting existing tankers. The United Kingdom therefore supports the phased introduction of segregated ballast tanks on the timetable laid down in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 and the 1978 protocol thereto, which are not, however, yet in force. These agreements will require all new crude oil tankers over 20,000 tons deadweight and all new product tankers over 30,000 tons deadweight to be fitted with segregated ballast tanks.
In the case of crude oil tankers, crude oil washing has been accepted as an alternative means of reducing operational pollution. The agreements therefore lay down a phased four-year programme within which existing crude oil tankers of over 40,000 tons deadweight must be fitted with crude oil washing or with segregated ballast tanks. In the case of product tankers, there is no comparable alternative means of reducing pollution: existing product tankers of over 40,000 tons deadweight will, therefore, have to be fitted with segregated ballast tanks within that period. The Merchant Shipping Bill currently before the House contains the powers necessary for the United Kingdom to ratify and implement these agreements.