§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What difficulties they see in the provision of a pollution control zone of 100 nautical miles in Canada's Arctic waters, and what advice they would give to British shipowners proposing to enter the area.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraIf the term "pollution control zone" is intended to mean "special area" as defined in the Annexes of MARPOL 73/78, then it is assumed that in the first instance the Canadian authorities would submit their proposals for approval at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). For this purpose they would be expected to establish that in relation to the oceanographical and ecological condition of the area concerned, special area status, or its equivalent, was essential for the purpose of its environmental protection. They would then be required to ensure that adequate reception facilities for oil residues and other wastes were provided at ports and harbours bordering the "special area" zone.
In the event of these objectives being obtained by the Canadian authorities then British ship owners proposing to enter the area would be expected to comply with the "special area" provisions.