SHIP-TO-SHIP OIL TRANSFER IN THE FORTH

That this House expresses disappointment at the decision by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to approve the oil-spill contingency plan in the Firth of Forth; believes that due to the ecologically sensitive nature of the Forth, plans for ship-to-ship oil transfer should not be granted approval; recognises that there is widespread opposition to the plans from experts, environmental groups, local authorities and parliamentarians; and calls on the Transport Secretary not to approve ship-to-ship transfer unless the Forth Ports Authority can show conclusively that there will be no detrimental impact on the area's environment including bird life and and marine mammals as a result of the oil transfer operations.