HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 cc427-8W
44. Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many inspectors are employed by his Department on enforcement of the 1973 international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships in British ports and waters for which his Department has responsibility; and how many prosecutions have been brought annually since 1980 under its provisions.

Mr. David Mitchell

The Department employs 138 marine surveyors who as part of their duties survey vessels and their equipment to ensure compliance with the 1973 international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships which entered into force in 1983.

Prosecutions are normally brought under the Prevention of Pollution Act. Since 1980 these were as follows:

Numbers
1980 42
1981 13
1982 39
Numbers
1983 18
1984 13
1985 10
1986 2