HC Deb 24 February 1997 vol 291 cc49-50W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what additional claims he expects on the international oil pollution compensation fund from the private sector relating to the Sea Empress disaster, which are not accounted for by the expenditure of the marine pollution control unit; [17462]

(2) what is his estimate of the claim made by the advisers on the international oil pollution compensation fund relating to the Sea Empress disaster; [17453]

(3) how much has been spent to date on the Sea Empress clean up operation by (a)the marine pollution control unit. (b)local authorities and (c) private organisations. [17461]

Mr. Bowis

The Department's high and low estimate of likely compensation claims are as follows:

Likely claims (£ million) Low High
Clean-up operations (Marine Pollution Control Unit) 10 10
Clean-up operations (local authorities) 8 8
Clean-up operations (voluntary organisations, oil industry and others) 5 5
Preventative measures (including salvage costs) 0 7
Fishing Industry 8 10
Tourist Industry 3 9
Total 34 49

It is estimated that about £22 million has been spent to date on clean-up operations: consisting of £10 million by the MPCU, £7 million by local authorities and £5 million by others.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the basis of the claim on the international oil pollution compensation fund by the advisers involved in Sea Empress salvage operation. [17460]

Mr. Bowis

No claim has yet been made to the international oil pollution compensation fund in respect of the salvage operation of the Sea Empress. The timing of any such claim may relate to the salvage award made under the contract between the shipowner and the salvors. Salvage operations may in some circumstances be eligible for compensation by the IOPC fund, but only to the extent that the purpose of the operations is to prevent pollution.

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