asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether an oil pollution control regime is in place in the Caspian Sea, and if not whether all firms participating in oil exploitation are explicitly committed to the prevention of oil pollution, and in the event of pollution, to the polluter pays principle.

We understand that most, if not all, of the Caspian littoral states have legislation covering environmental pollution and protection. Questions on the pollution control policies of companies involved in oil exploitation should be addressed to the companies concerned.