§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the pollution from oil spillage in the Antarctic.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 23 April 1990]: I have been asked to reply.
There are no comprehensive data on the quantities of oil spilled in the Antarctic. Overall the impact of oil pollution is believed to be insignificant. The British Antarctic Survey reports only three spills of any size from its operations within the last 10 years. None of these spills, of marine gas oil, amounted to more than six barrels and none had any recorded environmental impact.
Following a number of reported incidents by other national operators in the Antarctic, notably the sinking of the supply vessel Bahia Paraiso, the Antarctic treaty consultative parties discussed at their 15th meeting in Paris in October 1989 the prevention, control and response to marine pollution. Recommendations passed included measures to prohibit certain discharges and disposal from vessels, requirements for vessels to comply with specific international conventions on vessel safety and pollution control and a requirement for Governments to increase mutual co-operation in hydographic survey and charting in Antarctic waters, to assist in navigational safety and environmental protection.