HC Deb 23 April 1990 vol 171 c54W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to eliminate discharges from shipping harmful to the marine environment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. McLoughlin

The United Kingdom has acceded to the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships 1973 and its protocol of 1978, and to two of the optional annexes. Annex I deals with pollution by oil, annex II by chemicals in bulk, annex III by harmful substances carried in packaged form and annex V by garbage. There is a legal obligation for ships registered in the United Kingdom to observe the requirements set out in annexes I, II and V. Annex III comes into force in 1991. Other ships in United Kingdom ports and waters also have to meet these requirements under the terms of the convention. The regulations are enforced by inspections in port and by the regular patrolling of shipping lanes by surveillance aircraft which have been increased by more than 60 per cent. with effect from the beginning of April 1990. These efforts have been strengthened by agreements reached last month at the third North sea conference in The Hague.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the application of annex V of the MARPOL convention 73/78.

Mr. McLoughlin

Annex V of the MARPOL convention 73/78 came into force internationally on 31 December 1988. The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulations 1988 (statutory instrument 1988/2292) which came into force on the same day apply the provisions of this annex to United Kingdom ships, and to other ships when they are within the United Kingdom or its territorial waters. The Merchant Shipping (Reception Facilities for Garbage) Regulations 1988 (statutory instrument 1988/2293) require harbour authorities and terminal operators to provide reception facilities for garbage adequate to meet the needs of ships using the harbour or terminal. The Department has organised a poster campaign under the title "Over the Side is Over" to publicise the introduction of annex V and has issued a merchant shipping notice (M1389) to further advise seafarers of its provisions. Marine surveyors who visit ships as part of their duties are instructed to examine and report on the on board arrangements for handling garbage.