§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when Her Majesty's Government will ratify the 1990 international convention on oil pollution preparedness, response and co-operation to provide a framework for international co-operation for combating major oil pollution incidents; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement on the ratification of the 1992 protocol to the international convention on civil liability for oil pollution damage and the international compensation fund for oil pollution damage convention;
(3) if he will make a statement on the ratification of the 1989 international convention on salvage.
§ Mr. NorrisEnactment of the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Pollution) Bill, introduced by my hon. Friend for St. Ives (Mr. Harris) on 16 December 1993, would permit the ratification of these instruments.