Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Caroline Ansell and Robert Courts

Thursday 3rd December 2020 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Ansell (Eastbourne) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to help the maritime industry to decarbonise.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Robert Courts)]

The Government have recently committed £20 million to support clean maritime technology, and further plans will be set out in the forthcoming transport decarbonisation plan.

--- Later in debate ---

[Caroline Ansell]

My beautiful coastal constituency of Eastbourne and Willingdon is susceptible to particulate matter emanating from the very busy channel shipping lanes. The maritime strategy and the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan are hugely important domestic policies, but this problem obviously demands an international response and international change. Will my hon. Friend assure the House that the Government are equally committed to working at the international level to see the improvements we need in air quality in my home town?

[Robert Courts]

I am glad to confirm that the Government are committed to international efforts to reduce pollution from ships, including through the London-based International Maritime Organisation. I am pleased to be able to inform my hon. Friend that from 1 January 2021, the channel and North sea, including the East Sussex coast, will be designated a nitrogen oxide emissions control area under international law. I thank her for her continued outstanding advocacy for clean air in her constituency and across the UK.