§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had about the presence in the Antarctic of debris from British research programmes; and what action is being taken to clear up such debris.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthApart from two parliamentary questions from the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 9 May 1990,Official Report, column 184, the Secretary of State has received no representations.
The British Antarctic Survey has now formulated and is implementing its up-to-date environmental management policy covering the disposal of debris and wastes. This phased programme is intended to comply fully with recommendation XV-3 of the XVth Antarctic treaty consultative meeting held in October 1989. All waste, other than human waste and scrap food, will be removed from Antarctica.
Abandoned bases are being surveyed prior to the development of a programme of remedial work. Clean-up activities took place at Deception island, Winter island and Halley base during the 1990–91 season.