HC Deb 18 January 1996 vol 269 cc664-5W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the environmental damage caused by the deliberate release of oil into the Gulf between Khafji and the island of Abu Ai during the Gulf war; how many bird mortalities resulted from the pollution; and if the final ecological assessment of damage in the Gulf has now been made. [9085]

Mr. Clappison

A report by the United Nations environment programme on the environmental effects of the Gulf war was presented to the UNEP Governing Council in May 1993—UNEP GC.7 Inf.9. The report included an assessment of the impact of oil released into the Gulf during the conflict, including an assessment of bird mortalities. More than 30,000 birds are believed to have died during the conflict. A copy of the report is in the Library of the House. Further studies into possible long-term effects are largely a matter for the states in the region.