§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will carry out an investigation into the circumstances in which over 500 oil-covered sea birds were washed ashore on the beaches of Buchan between Fraserburgh and Peterhead in the Aberdeenshire, East constituency during the period 7 and 8 March, most of whom were dead when washed ashore due to contact with oil which had been leaked on to the sea; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has received a report from Her Majesty's Costguard of an oil slick which was observed 38 miles east of Aberdeen on 7 March; and what steps are being taken on this matter.
§ Mr. SproatOver the weekend 6–7 March, some 500 oiled birds, mainly guillemots, were reported to the Coastguard as having been found on the shoreline between Peterhead and Fraserburgh. Few of the birds were still alive. The shoreline was not itself polluted by oil. As a result, the Coastguard repeated standing instructions to all ships and aircraft in the area to watch for oil at sea. A helicopter subsequently reported an oil slick 2 miles long by ½ mile wide some 30 miles due east of Aberdeen. In view of its distance offshore, it was adjudged unlikely to have been the oil which affected the birds.
On 8 March, in co-operation with the Nature Conservancy Council, a special flight was undertaken over the sea off Peterhead-Fraserburgh. As no oil was then found and no further reports have been received, it would seem probable that both the sighted slick and the oil which destroyed the sea birds has now dispersed naturally.
A sample of the oil found on the birds has been sent to Aberdeen for laboratory analysis and the results of the tests are awaited. However, without specific evidence as to the source of the pollution, it is unlikely that further action can be taken in this instance.