§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those ports which have facilities to accept chemical contaminated waste.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 23 June 1994]: The Marine Safety Agency is currently undertaking a comprehensive survey of the provision of reception facilities in United Kingdom ports. The results of the survey will be published when they have been evaluated.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to improve the monitoring of non-accidental discharges in United Kingdom territorial waters.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 23 June 1994]: All United Kingdom registered ships, aircraft and offshore installations are asked to report any incidents or sightings of oil to the United Kingdom Coastguard who passes the information to the marine pollution control unit. The MPCU carries out 500 hours of aerial surveillance per annum, using aircraft fitted with specialised electronic equipment for detecting oil slicks on the surface of the sea. This is targeted on the main shipping lanes where non-accidental discharges are known to occur most often.
These measures are considered adequate for the purposes of monitoring non-accidental discharges, and there are no plans to change or increase them.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ratify annex IV of the marine pollution convention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 23 June 1994]: The Government will consider ratification of annex IV of MARPOL when the findings of a comprehensive survey of United Kingdom reception facilities, including those for sewage, are available later in the year.