HC Deb 17 November 1949 vol 469 cc2185-6
28. Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the further incursion of the sea into the sand dunes at Rock, Cornwall, due to the removal of the sand in large quantities by hauliers; and whether he will give the dates on which his engineer and inspector last visited Rock for the purpose of reporting on this coast erosion.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, Sir, but my information is that the erosion is also partly due to physical factors; my engineering inspector visited this area in May, and a further visit is being made this month.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask my right hon. Friend, in connection with the whole matter, whether he will give serious consideration to the proposal to dredge Padstow harbour, which is filled up with the same kind of sand, and the dredging of which would supply the farmers with the carbonate of lime which they require and also give North Cornwall a decent port?

Mr. Bevan

I am unable to answer that supplementary, of which I have had no notice whatever.

Mr. Stokes

Surely, I have written to the Minister on this matter quite a number of times?

Mr. Bevan

Yes, but this proposal about taking sand from this harbour has not been properly investigated yet, and I think that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture is also involved.