§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil spills of over 2 tonnes were recorded for waters around the United Kingdom in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. NorrisThe published survey of the Advisory Committee on Pollution of the Sea shows that in 1991 there were 95 spills of oil over 1 tonne in United Kingdom waters from all sources (ships, rigs, land-based etc.). Figures are not available for spills in excess of 2 tonnes.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil spills requiring clean-up operations by the marine pollution control unit occurred in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of all clean up treatments in that year took place in the Bristol channel and south Wales coastal region.
§ Mr. NorrisNone. In 1991, all ship-related pollution incidents reported to the marine pollution control unit were assessed by them and monitored where appropriate (including aerial surveillance). In no case was it necessary to mobilise MPCU's clean-up resources.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil spills were reported for waters around the United Kingdom (i) between 1980 and 1990 and (ii) in 1990; and how many successful prosecutions were carried out in 1990.
§ Mr. NorrisThe survey of the Advisory Committee on Pollution of the Sea shows that (i) in the period 1983–1990 there were 4,170 incidents of oil spills reported in United Kingdom waters from all sources (ships, oil rigs, land-based etc.). No figures are available prior to 1983. (ii) In 1990 there were 791 incidents. In 1990, there were 22 successful prosecutions.