TNAG-2893-FCO40-4166-Hong-Kong-localisation-of-laws-merchant-shipping-and-carria-1993 — Page 9

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Hr Turney.

For achon plase. Pase consultin

Anderson onlESED as well as

THE DEPARTMENT

OF TRANSPORT

DTS

2 MARSHAM STREET LONDON SW1P 3EB

FAX

TELEX

071-276 0818

22221 DOEMAR-G

071-276

DIRECT LINE

SWITCHBOARD 071-276 3000

276

GTN

Mr A. Collins

Aviation and Maritime Dept Foreign & Commonwealth Office Whitehall SW1A 2AP

My Ref:

Your Ref:

30 November 1993

Dan Wan

سوا

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MERCHANT SHIPPING (SALVAGE AND OIL POLLUTION) BILL

The International Shipping Policy Division of the Department of Transport has received Ministerial policy clearance for the preparation of a Bill, whose aim is to implement four international agreements to which the UK is-signatory to allow their subsequent ratification:

the 1992 Protocols to the 1969 Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage and the 1971 Fund Convention (1992 Protocols);

the 1990 Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC);

a)

b)

c)

the 1989 Salvage Convention;

d)

the 1992 Paris Declaration.

All four agreements improve the international framework for the combat of maritime pollution: the 1992 Protocols by providing greater compensation for victims of oil pollution; OPRC by heightening standards of preparedness and encouraging cooperation in the field of oil pollution; the Salvage Convention by assuring salvors that they will at least recover their expenses, and therefore guaranteeing their involvement, where there is a risk of marine pollution; and the Paris Declaration by extending coastal state jurisdiction so as to facilitate action against polluters in the North Sea.

Further explanation of the agreements is contained in an Annex to this letter. It may be necessary for the Bill to take other matters on board. We will keep you informed.

I should be grateful if you would consult the UK's overseas dependent territories and let me know for which instruments they wish the UK to declare its ratification to be effective for them also.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Ipok

JF WALL

Assistant Secretary, International Shipping Policy Division B