HC Deb 06 June 1995 vol 261 cc111-2W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend his commitments on protection of the North sea to all waters around the UK. [26870]

Mr. Atkins

It is long-standing Government policy to apply obligations under successive North sea conferences to all our waters. This commitment will apply equally to any steps agreed by the fourth North sea conference on 8 and 9 June, within the framework for implementing measures for the north-east Atlantic under the 1992 OSPAR convention.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what commitment he plans to make to protect the North sea beyond the 200-mile limit of territorial waters. [26871]

Mr. Atkins

All the North sea is within 200 nautical miles of the coasts of one or other of the North sea states: their jurisdictions over the area between the 12-mile limit to territorial waters and the 200-mile limit—which are recognised by international law—therefore provides a major underpinning for measures to protect the North sea agreed through the North sea conferences. We have also signed the convention for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic which provides a comprehensive framework for protecting the seas north of 36°N, the latitude of the straits of Gibraltar, and east of 42°W, the longitude of the southern tip of Greenland, as far as the straits between Denmark and Sweden.

Mr. Mackinley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to raise the issue of controlling pollution from ships at the forthcoming North sea ministerial conference; what policy proposals he has to suggest; and if he will make a statement. [26361]

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 24 May 1995]: Pollution from shipping is one of the issues which the conference will consider. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 16 May, Official Report, column 183, what we hope the conference will achieve in all of the areas it will cover, including shipping. A UK note on the conference was placed in the Library of the House.