§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many prosecutions have been brought, in respect of illegal discharges of oil or other pollutants by vessels in Scottish waters in each year since 1990; [37239]
(2) in respect of how many cases report have been made to appropriate shipping companies regarding allegations of illegal discharge of oil or other pollutants, in circumstances where there was insufficient evidence for court action; and if he will make a statement; [37240]
(3) how many prosecutions have been brought, in each year since 1990, in respect of illegal discharges of oil or other pollutants by vessels in Scottish waters. [37242]
§ Mr. NorrisThese are operational matters for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. James Wallace, dated 23 October 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions as the questions deal with operational matters, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.PQ 5/95/96
Since 1972 17 reports have been made to shipping companies regarding alleged pollution incidents involving their vessels. In all these cases, on the advice of the Treasury Solicitor, there was insufficient evidence to support court action.PQ 6/95/96 and PQ 30/95/96
There have been 14 prosecutions brought in respect of illegal discharges by vessels in Scottish waters since 1990. There was I in 1990, 3 in 1991, 1 in 1992, 4 in 1993 and 5 in 1994.