HC Deb 23 April 1929 vol 227 cc688-9

The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Lieutenant-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE:

6. "To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Exmouth Urban District Council, acting under a lease granted by him, has forbidden dredging in the mouth of the river Exe, and have thereby put some 40 men out of work; and whether, seeing that this lease comes up for review next June, he will state what action he proposes to take."

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

In asking this question, I would point out that the words "seeing that" should be omitted, as I am not sure whether the lease does in fact come up for review.

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

It does not make any difference to the reply. The lease in question, which is of the nature of a yearly tenancy determinable by three months' notice, was granted after local advertisement to the Exmouth Urban District Council last year for the purpose of enabling them to regulate the removal of materials below low water mark, the removal, it was represented, being detrimental to the safety of property in the district. The Council, acting under the lease, have decided to prevent removal within its limits altogether, and, after careful consideration, I am not prepared to take any action with regard to their decision, to which they strongly adhere, I am communicating with my hon. Friend as to the possibility of allowing dredging in an area of the Exe outside the limits of the lease.

Sir CLIVE MORRISON-BELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good deal of anxiety is being caused by the depredations of the raiders from the other side of the river?

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amount of gravel has very greatly increased during the last 20 years at the point at which this dredging takes place, and that the Exmouth Council have themselves been selling quantities of sand?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I am seeking an opportunity of finding a solution which will be agreeable to both my hon. Friends and the interests which they represent. No doubt there was a very strong case for preventing dredging in this particular area, because it was likely to cause, and was, I think, causing damage, but I am trying to see if there is not some area of the Exe in which this dredging can take place without damage being caused.