HC Deb 16 May 1893 vol 12 cc1040-1
MR. WILLOX (Liverpool, Everton)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state what are the results of his communications with the person against whom complaint is made that he is dredging gravel in the River Clwyd, to the destruction of the natural barrier of the town of Rhyl; whether he is aware that these dredging operations are still being continued by the removal of gravel from the weakest part of the foreshore; and whether he will take immediate measures to stop the continuance of a practice which exposes Rhyl to danger from the inroads of the sea?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, Brightside

The Rhuddlan Marsh Embankment Trustees have, I am advised, in pursuance of an Act passed in 1794, full power to dredge the River Clwyd and the Harbour of Foryd below Rhuddlan Bridge. The Chairman of those Trustees has acquired from the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Woods and Forests certain tidal lands, on which, it is stated, dredging operations are now being carried on by the person complained of. I am not aware that the town of Rhyl is exposed to damage by the operations now in progress. The Town Commissioners, with whom I have communicated, make no such complaint.

MR. WILLOX

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a copy of the Town Surveyor's Report?

MR. MUNDELLA

I cannot call it to mind just now; and if the hon. Member wishes to put a question on it, perhaps he will place a Notice on the Paper.