§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the Tyne and Wear Oil Pollution Contingency Plan to deal with a major maritime pollution incident. [141184]
§ Mr. HillThe Local Authority Tyne and Wear Oil Pollution Contingency Plan was submitted to the Coastguard Agency in 1995. It was updated in December 1999 by the merged Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). In light of the revision of the National Contingency Plan (NCP) for marine pollution from shipping and offshore installations, published in February 2000, the MCA wrote to each maritime Local Authority asking for a status update on their oil pollution plans. Once a response has been received from Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit the MCA will assess the appropriateness of this plan.
§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve preparations to deal with major maritime pollution incidents by(a) increasing the Civil Defence Specific Grant, (b) increasing funding by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and (c) placing a statutory duty on local authorities to prepare and respond to such incidents. [141185]
§ Mr. Hill(a) Civil Defence Specific Grant is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
(b) Adequate funding has already been provided to allow the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to undertake its role in preparing, and assisting other bodies to prepare, for major maritime pollution incidents. This role includes implementing the "National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations" and contributing to the overall effectiveness of the "National Contingency Plan" by conducting exercises with local authorities, training contingency planners and providing stockpiles of material and equipment needed to combat pollution.
(c) The matter is still under active consideration.