§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost, calculated to date of(a) the salvage operation and (b) the clean-up operation onshore and offshore following the Sea Empress grounding on 15 February. [24261]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 2 April 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Question about costs associated with the Sea Empress grounding on 15 February.The details of the costs of the salvage operation are not being collated by the MPCU as the bills for the charges which the salvors incurred are being sent directly to them.The cost of the at-sea clean up to date, which includes the charter of oil skimming and recovery vessels, surveillance and spraying aircraft, dispersant purchase, manpower and the hire of equipment, is £1,845,605. There are still a number of invoices yet to be received.Beachcleaning operations are still ongoing in a number of locations. To date the MPCU have been invoiced for a total of £1,094,356.
§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what attempts were made to remove oil from the Sea Empress in the period after she had grounded; and if he will make a statement. [23579]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. David Nicholson, dated 2 April 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the SEA EMPRESS incident.Removal of the oil from the SEA EMPRESS while she was in the entrance to Milford Haven was an option which was under continual active consideration. During the incident conditions were rarely suitable for what would have been a difficult and potentially hazardous operation. When the conditions were suitable all effort went into refloating the vessel so that she could be lightened in a safer place.
Mr. Alan W. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask Lord Donaldson to conduct a detailed and independent inquiry into the Sea Empress disaster. [22060]
§ Mr. NorrisThe marine accident investigation branch is conducting a detailed and independent investigation into the cause of the grounding of the Sea Empress and the conduct of the subsequent salvage operations. Assessments are also being undertaken into the environmental effects of the pollution caused by the Sea Empress and into the effectiveness of the clean-up techniques which were employed. Consideration of the need for any further examination of the incident or its effects will be given when the findings and recommendations of the MAIB investigation and the environmental assessment are available.