asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether any decision has been taken on the location of the headquarters of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund; and if he will make a statement.

The first assembly of contracting States— of which the United Kingdom is one— decided last week to locate the headquarters of the fund in London. Her Majesty's Government warmly welcome this decision. The fund will benefit from close association with the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation—IMCO—also based in London and from close proximity to the London marine insurance market.