Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 November 2002. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what early assessment she has made of the long-term environmental impact of the sinking of the Prestige off the Spanish Atlantic coast.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what early assessment she has made of the long-term environmental impact of the sinking of the Prestige off the Spanish Atlantic coast. [83003] Mr. Morley:: It is too early to assess the long term impacts of this oil pollution. Much will depend on the fate of the oil still in the holds of the wreck, and wind and sea conditions in the area. The primary responsibility for assessing the impact will rest with the Spanish authorities. Defra's Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has contacted the scientists working on impactassessment and has offered any technical assistance they may find helpful Our current assessment is that it is extremely unlikely any oil from the Prestigewill reach the British coast.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 83003; 395 c239W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Accidents Environment protection Oil Pollution control Merchant shipping Seas and oceans Tankers Spain MV Prestige
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk