Marine Oil Spills

HC Deb 19 December 1983 vol 51 cc11-2W

Mr. Ward

asked the Prime Minister whether she is satisfied with the present inter-departmental arrangements for dealing with marine oil spills.

The Prime Minister

At present the Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit is, within the Government, responsible for all aspects of cleaning up oil spills at sea, while local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales have voluntarily assumed a primary role in cleaning up the coastline, with the appropriate environment Department providing advice and coordination as necessary.

In its eighth report—"Oil Pollution of the Sea"—the Royal Commission on environmental pollution recommended that the MPCU should assume the Great Britain Environment Departments' direct responsibilities in this area, in the interests of securing more economical and effective contingency planning and cleaning, particularly in relation to major spills. I have decided to accept this recommendation. The MPCU will assume its new responsibilities on 1 January 1984.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is making a separate announcement on the Government's response to the Royal Commission's eighth report as a whole.