§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his latest estimate of the numbers of seabirds, and the amount of coastline affected by oil pollution as a result of the disaster involving the MV Bridgeness;
(2) what is his latest estimate of the effects of oil pollution on the Welsh coast following the MV Bridgeness accident; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe latest estimate given by the Nature Conservancy Council is that about 2,500 seabirds 337W have been affected by oil following the MV Bridgeness incident on 16 June. More accurate figures will be available later as a result of continuing coastal surveys.
Oil from the MV Bridgeness had affected he shores of the islands off the South West Wales Coast to some degree. On Friday, 28 June, oil possibly from the MV Bridgeness had come ashore on beaches in Mid and the Northern half of Cardigan Bay and subsequently in Caernarfon Bay — extending from Borth in Dyfed to Treaddur Bay on Anglesey. Quantities are very small however except at Barmouth, where the groynes and sea walls have been contaminated. The local authorities are cleaning the beached oil as quickly as they are able and technical assistance is being provided by the Marine Pollution Control Unit of the Department of Transport. Aerial surveillance has shown that there is no further oil off shore.