asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are satisfied with the enforcement of the legislation relating to the use of organotin compounds in the anti-fouling paints applied to yachts and other small craft.

The Control of Pollution (Anti-fouling Paint) Regulations 1985 apply to anti-fouling paints sold by retail, which represent the bulk of those used on yachts and other small craft. These regulations set maximum levels for the content of organotin compounds in such paints. The effectiveness of the regulations is monitored by trading standards officers of the local authorities and, to aid them in their duties, a list of complying formulations was attached to the circular on the regulations issued to the local authorities. This list has been revised and amended to include additional formulations and to correct some inaccuracies in the paint names given in the original list. The revised list has been sent to the trading standards officers and is also set out below.On the basis of the evidence available to me I am satisfied that both trading standards officers and retailers are fully aware of the provisions of the regulations and that the level of compliance is high. There is no evidence that the errors in the original list of complying paints caused problems in enforcing the regulations.