Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 17 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2009. It was answered by Paul Clark (Labour) on Monday, 22 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Shipping

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) what incidents where (a) chemicals and (b) radioactive material were lost overboard (i) in UK waters and (ii) elsewhere from UK-registered ships took place in each year since 1985; and what the (A) location, (B) chemicals or materials involved and (C) amount subsequently recovered was in each case;

Answer: Details of incidences of hazardous material (including chemicals) being released from ships in the UK pollution control zone are given in annual reports produced by the Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea. Recent reports are available on the website of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.There have been no reported incidences of radioactive material being lost overboard since 1985.Since 1989 the Department for Transport has sponsored reports on events involving the transport of radioactive material in the UK. These reports will include details of any known incidents where radioactive material was lost during transport by sea. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries and more recent ones are available via the DFT website at the following address:"http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freiqht/dgt1/road/quidance/guidance/guidance7class/theradiologicalimpactofthetr1178"

Secondary information