§ 1990. Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total number of reported cases of oil pollution in United Kingdom coastal and estuarial waters in(a) 1988, (b) 1989 and (c)
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 5 February 1990]The Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit funds a complete annual survey of oil pollution around the coasts of the United Kingdom. This is carried out by the advisory committee on pollution of the sea which draws its information from a number of sources including the Department of Transport and local authorities.
A total of 559 incidents were reported during 1988. Survey results for 1989 are expected to be published in June.
The Department of Transport's own provisional figure for incidents at sea in 1989 is 246 with a further 14 incidents reported so far this year.