§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action his Department is taking to reduce the damage to the ecology of the Bristol channel that may be caused by the current oil slick;
(2) what assessment he has made of the ecological effects of the oil slick that is currently polluting the Bristol channel.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 15 February 1991]: I understand that the oil slick observed on the Bristol channel this week has resulted from a spillage of approximately 20 tons of fuel oil from Llanwern steelworks. While it is too early to give an overall assessment of its effects, reports have been received of 50 to 100, mainly lightly, oiled birds. At present the slick does not appear to have harmed major wildlife sites, although mud flats and salt marshes may suffer some short-term damage. Any attempt to clean up in such sensitive environments is likely to cause more damage than leaving oil to weather and degrade by natural processes. The Nature Conservancy Council, the Government's adviser on wildlife, is closely monitoring the situation and the Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit has provided advice on appropriate clean up techniques. The National Rivers Authority is leading the response to this incident together with the local authorities concerned and is currently working with the oil industry's oil spill service centre to recover oil at sea before it reaches the shore. There have been no reports of harm to the limited fishing grounds in the area.