HC Deb 17 July 2003 vol 409 cc614-5W
Mr. Carmichael

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of towing former US naval ships through the Pentland Firth. [125688]

Mr. Jamieson

No application has been received to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone which includes the Pentland Firth. UK agreement to a "passage plan" for the proposed tow is required in advance, and such agreement would depend on satisfactory conclusions following a risk assessment, including that of impact on the local environment.

Mr. Carmichael

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on proposals to tow former US naval ships through the Pentland Firth en route to Teesside. [125689]

Mr. Jamieson

Proposals for such towage require prior UK agreement to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone.

Mr. Carmichael

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the UK Administration will exercise its power to prevent the towing of former US naval ships thought to contain toxic chemicals through the Pentland Firth under article 19(2)(h) of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. [125690]

Mr. Jamieson

Article 19(2)(h) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), refers to acts of "willful and serious pollution" contrary to UNCLOS. It does not limit proposals for commercial towage, for which separate prior UK agreement is required to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone.