§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he plans to ask the National Rivers Authority to investigate the incidence of oil pollution in the South Hams rivers and estuaries resulting from the Rosebay oil spillage; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will outline the powers of the National Rivers Authority to take action in cases such as the Rosebay incident where the original pollution occurred outside National Rivers Authority jurisdiction.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 21 May 1990]: The National Rivers Authority has no powers in relation to this type of incident outside controlled waters as defined under the Water Act 1989. Once oil pollution drifts inside controlled waters it has powers to take remedial action under section 115 of the Act. In such cases the National Rivers Authority co-operates with the Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit which is responsible for oil clean-up at sea and with local authorities which are principally responsible for coastline clean-up.
I understand that the National Rivers Authority is already investigating the incidence of oil in controlled waters although it has no remit to investigate the cause of the incident. It is co-operating with the marine pollution control unit, Devon county council and other affected local authorities in both preventive and remedial measures.