§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken on the corrosive effects of seawater on metal containers applicable to the containment life of the container of lindane lost in the English Channel in 1989.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe lindane was contained in plastic-lined fibreboard drums which were then stowed in a standard freight container. There is ample information on the errosive effects of seawater on metals. In the case of plastic-lined fibreboard drums and other packaging materials international research under the aegis of the IMO is currently being undertaken and interim results are expected by the end of the year.