HC Deb 10 February 1993 vol 218 cc629-30W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice his Department took before authorising the use of chemical dispersants on the Braer oil slick off the Shetland Islands.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 21 January 1993]: My Department's marine scientists have extensive knowledge of dispersants because of their long involvement with the North sea offshore oil industry. The limits on the sea area in which spraying could take place followed discussions which local fisheries and environmental interests.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what permission he has given for the use of Dispolene 34S and Enersperse dispersants to break up the oil slick from the Braer tanker accident off Shetland.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 21 January 1993]: My Department authorised the use of type 2 and type 3 dispersants, of which Dispolene and Enersperse are two varieties.