Mr Matutes, Member of the Commission responsible for transport policy, and Mr Paleokrassas, Member of the Commission responsible for environment policy, have welcomed the announcement by the British Government of a voluntary agreement with shipowners to exclude oil-carriers from certain sensitive areas of the United Kingdom. The Members of the Commission are pleased at this announcement on two counts. First, the voluntary agreement gives a clear indication that shipowners are conscious of the problems of pollution. Secondly, this decision is in line with the conclusions reached in January by the Joint Council of Ministers (transport and environment) in identifying the sensitive areas from which ships carrying dangerous substances could be required to keep clear. * * *
