§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the report of His Majesty's Ship "Flinders" on the estuary of the River Exe; and whether he is now prepared to grant permission to men from Topsham to dredge for sand and gravel in this estuary?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe report was considered in July last by a conference of local interests, who, as a result, are in consultation on the question whether or not some dredging to prescribed lines and levels and under expert supervision may 799 be undertaken in the estuary. I am awaiting the result of these deliberations, and, in the meantime, the case of the Topsham men is being kept in view.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEAm I to understand that the undertaking that no decision will be reached adverse to the Topsham men until they have been consulted, still holds good?
§ Mr. DREWEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Exmouth Council are totally opposed to any further dredging of the estuary owing to the damage which has already been caused to the foreshore?