§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take to prevent tankers dumping oil at sea following the recent pollution incident at Flamborough Head. [39337]
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 27 October 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Elliot Morley, dated 2 November 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the recent pollution incident at Flamborough Head.The UK operates routine aerial surveillance to detect and deter illegal discharges. This was identified by Lord Donaldson in his report on the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping as an important tool in deterring vessels from discharging illegally.468WThe UK, as a member of the Bonn Agreement, works closely with other contracting States to conduct joint surveillance of the North Sea. At the forth North Sea Conference in June, Ministers agreed to work on ways of making aerial surveillance a more effective deterrent against illegal discharges. The UK is also committed, together with other North Sea states, to the aim of designating the North Sea a special area for the purposes of oil pollution. Special area status will mean that all oil discharges in the North Sea will be illegal once the agreement is implemented.