asked the Minister for the Environment if he considers that the emergency plans of local authorities on the west coast could cope with potential major oil spillages; and if the local authorities concerned have the resources to implement such emergency plans.
Written Answers. - Oil Spillages Contingency Plans.
229.
Local authorities have contingency plans to deal with small scale oil pollution incidents which effect or threaten the shoreline. The authorities also have co-operative arrangements on a regional level to respond to larger incidents.In the event of a major oil pollution incident, the response would be co-ordinated and directed by the National Oil Pollution Operations Group comprised of specialist personnel from my Department, the Departments of Marine and Defence and local harbour authorities. The group would mobilise and draw on the manpower and equipment resources of local and harbour authorities, as necessary, and where appropriate, would supplement these with resources drawn from other sources in this country and abroad. The group would also have available to it the information system maintained by the European Commission to assist member states in dealing with major pollution emergencies.