§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether surveillance aircraft were undertaking regular patrols at the time of the oil pollution in the English Channel in January; if it has yet been possible to identify the cause; and if he will make a further statement.
§ Mr. PortilloAn aircraft of my Department's marine pollution control unit was carrying out a routine Channel navigation surveillance patrol on 27 December 1988 when an oil slick was sighted. Patrols on 30 December and 5 January 1989 were mounted in direct response to further pollution reports received.
Samples of beached oil and oiled bird feathers have been analysed by the laboratory of the Government chemist to determine whether they had a common source. The initial findings have proved inconclusive and a more detailed analysis is now being carried out.