HC Deb 09 July 1985 vol 82 cc379-80W
Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what advice the National Conservancy Council, Great Britain headquarters, gave concerning risks to wildlife connected with the salvage operations of MV Bridgeness.

Mr. David Mitchell

The Nature Conservancy Council advised that the position of the oil spill and its likely movement would put breeding birds at risk. It was aware that the Marine Pollution Control Unit already held information of breeding colonies of sea birds around our coast. It recognised that the oil was of a type which could not be chemically dispersed and was likely to be of a persistent nature and it asked to be kept informed of future movement and distribution of the oil.

Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Transport on what date and at what time did MV Bridgeness run aground on the Hats and Barrels reef; and what were the weather conditions.

Mr. David Mitchell

MV Bridgeness reported her grounding at 7.59 pm (local time) on Sunday 16 June 1985. The weather conditions were light airs, calm sea and good visibility.

Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether the MV Bridgeness was proceeding under its own power when it ran aground recently on the Hats and Barrels reef.

Mr. David Mitchell

My Department is holding a preliminary investigation into the circumstances of this grounding; but there is no present evidence that the ship was not proceeding under her own power.

Dr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when notice of the grounding of MV Bridgeness was given to the Nature Conservancy Council, Great Britain headquarters.

Mr. David Mitchell

At 10.10 am (approximately) on Monday 17 June, after which contact was maintained.

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