§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has as to the total cost of the oil spillage caused by the E1 Omar in December 1988 in the Milford Haven, including clean-up costs and insurance claims; and what costs have been received from the ship's owners.
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§ Mr. PortilloThe Milford Haven port authority is responsible for oil pollution control within the port area. The Department was not directly involved in the clean-up operations and has no information as to the total costs incurred or compensation received.
Clean-up was undertaken and costs were incurred by the Milford Haven port authority; Texaco, the operators of the terminal where the E1 Omar was discharging cargo; and the local authorities bordering the haven. It is for them and any other parties suffering damage as a result of the spillage to each seek reimbursement from the owners of the vessel, who are statutorily liable and must have a contract of insurance to cover that liability.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans he has to cope with a major oil spillage off the west coast of Scotland; what equipment he has stored on the west coast for such an eventuality; and where this is stored.
§ Mr. PortilloBecause it is impossible to predict where or when a tanker accident may occur, the contingency arrangements to combat pollution at sea developed following the Amoco Cadiz incident in 1978 consist of a dedicated contingency response unit on constant standby to direct and control clean-up operations, together with highly mobile resources positioned at various locations around the United Kingdom, from where they can be deployed quickly to the west coast of Scotland or any other part of the United Kingdom that may be threatened by a major oil spillage.
Included in those resources are dispersant spraying aircraft, two of which are permanently based at Inverness; stocks of dispersant at strategic locations including Paisley, Oban, and Stornoway; oil recovery equipment at Aberdeen; cargo transfer equipment; DAFS fishery protection vessels and commercial tugs fitted with spraying equipment and carrying stocks of dispersant; and stockpiles of specialised beach cleaning equipment, one of which is at Cambusbarron, near Stirling. If necessary, Royal Navy and Royal Maritime Auxiliary vessels in the Clyde, with dispersant spraying equipment, would be called on, together with whatever resources might be available in the private sector, including those owned by oil companies in connection with their responsibilities for clean-up of port terminal and offshore installation spillages.
Local authorities on the west coast of Scotland all have their own contingency plans for dealing with coastal clean up and can call on advice and assistance from this Department.
Port authorities generally have their own contingency plans and again, advice and assistance would be provided by this Department in the event of a major spill.