Luxembourg, 09/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Transport Council held in Luxembourg on Thursday proceeded to a policy debate on the proposal of directive compelling Member States to impose criminal sanctions (of up to prison sentences) on those responsible for any kind of severe maritime pollution, independently of the flag under which the vessel in question was registered. Delegations exchanged their views on the basis of questions raised by the Presidency: Should discharge due to damage caused to ships be included in the directive? Should the directive apply to vessels flying third country flags? Should the possibility of taking out insurance against the financial sanctions imposed for pollution be banned? Most delegations said they were in favour of prohibiting persons concerned by the proposal (shipowners, captains, ship operators, etc.) from having the possibility to take out insurance against fines imposed in the case of serious maritime pollution. On the question of whether or not to introduce discharge caused by ship damage in the scope of the directive, opinions differ. Spain, France, Italy and Sweden are said to be in favour whereas Greece, the United Kingdom and Finland fear the provision would cause problems with international obligations in this connection (Marpol Convention). Finally, France expressed its support for the European Commission proposal to apply these provisions to ships flying the flag of third countries.