Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government in pursuit of the United Nations General Assembly second committee resolution 44/224, dated 24 November 1989, as a result of the occurrence of oil slicks in the Gulf.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have been asked to reply.
In response to this resolution, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme—UNEP—commissioned a feasibility study into proposals for improved international co-operation in the monitoring, assessment and anticipation of environmental threats and assistance in the case of environmental emergencies. The United Kingdom Government look forward to discussing the study's proposals at UNEP's governing council in June this year before they are submitted to the United Nations General Assembly.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has also provided expert advice and other assistance to the Governments of the Gulf states as set out in my letter to hon. Members of 6 February. The International Maritime Organisation, a specialised agency of the United Nations based in London, is co-ordinating offers of pollution control equipment and expertise to assist with the oil spill. The United Kingdom is co-operating fully and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has contributed secretariat support and other services to the IMO for this purpose.