HC Deb 23 March 1989 vol 149 cc705-6W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department was informed of the cargo of the Perintis freighter before it was sunk.

Mr. Portillo

There is no requirement to report the carriage of packaged hazardous cargoes and the Department was not informed of what cargo the Perintis carried.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department was informed of the danger posed to the environment by the cargo of the Perintis.

Mr. Portillo

The Department's marine pollution control unit obtained a copy of the cargo manifest and recognised the presence of substances likely to pose a threat to the environment within six hours of the sinking of the MV Perintis on 13 March.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what help was asked for and provided by his Department in ensuring the safe disposal of the cargo of the Perintis.

Mr. Portillo

The Department's marine pollution control unit alerted Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on 14 March who in turn advised the MPCU and south coast local authorities on the safe disposal of any chemicals from MV Perintis which might be landed in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what controls his Department has over cargoes of hazardous substances being transported through British waters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

There is no control of hazardous cargoes being transported through territorial waters unless those cargoes have been loaded or are to be unloaded in a United Kingdom port. Ships are, however, required to report the loss or likely loss of any substances that might cause pollution, and powers of intervention are available to control pollution incidents.