§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to introduce a public education programme on the problem of marine litter, including means of disposal of shipboard litter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellMy Department has consistently stressed to the shipping industry the need to avoid the disposal of garbage at sea and has recommended voluntary compliance with annex V of MARPOL 73/78 pending its entry into force. Shipowners have responded in a positive manner and passenger ferry operators now have standing orders banning the disposal of garbage into the sea. For cruise liners, the separation and treatment of large volumes of wet and dry garbage together with glass, metal and plastic wastes poses particular difficulties. These are generally being solved by fitting processing equipment on board.
Whilst my Department's responsibilities relate to the shipping industry, the general problem of marine litter is the subject of interdepartmental discussion, the results of which will be included in the Government's response to the tenth report of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution.