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Merchant Shipping (Pollution) Bill [Lords]

Britain has a proud maritime history. We were founder members of the IMO and have played a great part in the IMO’s development and the adoption of many of the conventions that we now take for granted. I agree with the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) that in this particular case an EU directive, which is only a regional agreement, should not be allowed to take the place of any international agreement that may come into force. If there is such an EU directive, it should be subject to normal IMO procedures, which is the soundest way to ensure that unilateralism is not exercised by the US or other states. I hope that the Minister will support the amendment.