§ Mr. Robert BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements exist to report and collate information from the littoral states relating to the surfacing of dumped chemical weapons in the North sea and surrounding areas; and how many reports of such incidents have been received by his Department in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. BaldryThe United Kingdom is party, with all other north sea littoral states, to an international agreement designed to facilitate co-operation in dealing with major oil or chemical pollution incidents in the North sea. Known as the Bonn agreement, it requires contracting states to report any pollution incident to other members which may be affected by subsequent pollution. The agreement also provides for each member to use its best endeavour to provide counter-pollution assistance if requested by another contracting party.
The Department of Transport's marine pollution control unit exercises the Government's responsibility in this area. It has received no reports of the surfacing of dumped chemical weapons in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information his Department holds on the quality of water in marinas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThe National Rivers Authority is responsible for monitoring the quality of coastal waters, as defined under section 104 of the 1991 Water Resources Act, including marinas. The monitoring data is publicly available on the registers maintained in the regional offices of the NRA.