HC Deb 06 March 1996 vol 273 cc274-5W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he will take to compensate the local seafood sector following the tanker disaster in Milford Haven; and if he will make a statement. [17597]

Mr. Gwilym Jones

I refer the hon. Member to the oral statement made by my right hon. Friend on 29 February 1996, column 1024–98.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the loss of life among each species of wild bird for the spillage from the Sea Empress; what support he is providing for those agencies seeking to save the bird populations; and if he will make a statement; [17938]

Mr. Jones

The latest estimate–28 February—on bird kills and birds oiled, by species is given on the following list. Compensation for cost incurred as a result of the oil pollution damage from the Sea Empress is available from the shipowners insurer and from the International oil pollution compensation fund, which is funded by levies on the oil industry.

Sea Empress spillage
Total oiled birds to date (1 March 1996)
Species Dead total RSPCA rescued
Manx Shearwater 1 0
Fulmar 1 0
Great Northern Diver 4 4
Black Throated Diver 1 1
Red Throated Diver 8 35
Little Grebe 0 0
Great Crested Grebe 2 1
Red necked Grebe 0 4
Slavonian Grebe 0 0
Shag 1 10
Cormorant 27 0
Grey Heron 0 0
Little Egret 0 0
Mute Swan 0 9
Sea Empress spillage
Total oiled birds to date (1 March 1996)
Species Dead total RSPCA rescued
Canada Goose 0 0
Shelduck 1 0
Scoter 1,202 2,452
Velvet Scoter 0 1
Eider 0 9
R-B Merganser 0 1
Oystercatcher 6 3
Turnstone 2 0
Black-H Gull 2 1
Common Gull 1 0
Lesser B-B Gull 0 0
Herring Gull 2 7
Great B-B Gull 0 0
Kittiwake 2 2
Guillemot 643 418
Razorbill 160 21
Unidentified 142 0
Total 2,208 2,979

Notes:

These are minimum figures as the complete data set is not yet available. There may also be birds which have been picked up and cared for my members of the public, or taken to other bird hospitals which are not included in the RSPCA figures.

Many dead birds will remain at sea, or come ashore in inaccessible places, and not be counted.

Caution should also be noted with regard to the identification of oiled birds.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional financial assistance he will make available to maritime local authorities in Wales to enable them to minimize the pollution impact of the Sea Empress disaster. [17885]

Mr. Hague

While local authorities are responsible for the clean-up of any oil which comes ashore, the clear principle is that the polluter must pay. The costs will be reimbursed by the ship's insurers and by the International oil pollution compensation fund. In the intervening period, as I said on 29 FebruaryOfficial Report, column 1033, the Welsh Office will consider sympathetically any representations from local authorities about covering costs incurred.