HC Deb 09 March 1987 vol 112 cc7-8
7. Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what meetings he has had on a regular basis with interested bodies concerning the Mersey and Severn barrage schemes.

Mr. David Hunt

My colleagues and I have met representatives of the Severn tidal power group and the Mersey Barrage Company. It is my right hon. Friend's policy to ensure that the organisations carrying out these studies consult fully all interested bodies.

Mr. Davies

Will the Minister confirm that neither of the bodies to which he has referred has an obligation to consider the environmental impact of the schemes, despite both areas being of international wildlife significance? Will he take steps to establish appropriate advisory bodies to ensure that research takes place? Will he give an undertaking now to continue formally to consult the voluntary organisations, which have already expressed their concern about the environmental impact of the schemes?

Mr. Hunt

I am happy to reassure the hon. Gentleman that environmental studies are recognised as an essential feature of barrage studies and that a significant proportion of the present expenditure on the two estuaries will be devoted to environmental studies. Full environmental appraisals will not be possible, especially for the Severn, until a decision is made to progress the scheme beyond the scope of the present studies.

Mr. Marland

Is my hon. Friend aware that my constituents in west Gloucestershire on the banks of the river Severn accept his undertaking to consult all the interested bodies as being thoroughly responsible? We are concerned not only with the environmental aspects, but with the full impact of the cost of construction, since the Severn barrage could be one of the most expensive civil engineering projects ever undertaken.

Mr. Hunt

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and to other right hon. and hon. Friends who have pressed my ministerial colleagues and I on what I believe is one of the widest work programmes and consultation arrangements that the country has ever seen into what is, after all, one of the most promising of our renewable energy resources.

Mr. Corbett

I agree with the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies). Can the Minister say what timescale is involved in taking a decision, particularly on the Severn barrage? To my knowlege, the decision-making has been going on for about 30 years. The proposal presents a viable alternative to the further development of the nuclear energy programme which will not provide anywhere near as many jobs as the Severn barrage scheme stands a chance of providing.

Mr. Hunt

Without commenting on the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's question, we are seeing remarkable progress on both the Severn and Mersey barrages. Indeed, I heard only last week that the Mersey barrage studies are well ahead of schedule and part I of the study is expected to be finished later this year. On the Severn barrage, we are now in the midst of a two-year programme, jointly funded by the Severn tidal power group, the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Department. I have every optimism that the studies will be completed ahead of schedule.