HC Deb 08 June 1995 vol 261 cc276-7W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to improve port waste reception facilities. [26116]

Mr. Norris

My Department is currently consulting interested bodies on a number of measures to improve port waste reception facilities, including financial mechanisms to encourage use, improved communications between the users and providers of facilities and measures to aid the enforcement of vessels which do not make appropriate use of waste reception facilities.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ships annually used United Kingdom port facilities; and how much each port charges for the use of its facilities. [26113]

Mr. Norris

A total of 144,919 ships arrived at UK ports in 1993. Information on their use of port waste reception facilities is not available; nor is information on the charges levied by individual ports for the use of such facilities.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the result of research conducted on the issues raised by the Donaldson report referred to in the press notice No. 055 of 28 February on port waste reception facilities. [26115]

Mr. Norris

The Department of Transport's research has shown that while port waste reception facilities are generally adequate to meet the UK's international commitments, there is scope for improvement in the planning and organisation of facilities. This research has formed the basis of a consultation exercise with interested parties to consider how waste reception facilities could be improved, in the light of the recommendations of the report of Lord Donaldson's inquiry.