§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those ports in the south-west of England and south Wales which make a charge for the disposal of refuse from ships using those ports; what charges are levied; and if he will make a statement on the environmental consequences of dumping such refuse in United Kingdom coastal waters.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyRegulations made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, which came into effect on 31 December 1988, permit harbour authorities providing reception facilities for ships' garbage to make reasonable charges for their use. Although some information on these facilities is available, details of what charges they make are not definite or comprehensive.
This Department is concerned with arrangements for the disposal of landed ships' waste. Regulations made under the Control of Pollution Act classify ships' waste, including refuse, as industrial waste. Most industrial waste is collected by the private sector but where local authorities undertake this function they are required to levy a reasonable charge for collection and disposal.
Dumping ships' waste in coastal waters can have very damaging environmental consequences. The dumping of certain materials such as plastics is now an offence under the Merchant Shipping Acts.