§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will study schemes for remote monitoring systems for oil spills; and if he will make a statement on the representations from industry on the issue.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit has airborne remote sensing equipment for the control and direction of counter-pollution operations during a major oil spill incident at 781W sea. This equipment, which includes sideways looking radar, infra-red and ultra-violet scans, is also being evaluated as a possible detector of ships illegally discharging oil at sea.
I am not aware of any representations from industry in respect of such systems but if the hon. Member will let me have particulars I shall be pleased to consider futher.