§ Dr. Robert Spink (Castle Point)I wish to present a massive petition representing the views of more than 6,000 people who live on Canvey Island. It is a most timely petition which raises issues that are of deep concern to many hon. Members of all parties and to many people across the nation.
The terms of the petition are:
That it is proposed by Brocton Minerals Ltd. to use a deep water jetty at Canvey Island for the transhipment of coal from ship (by grab to hopper and conveyor) to smaller ships and that we the undersigned are vigorously opposed to this planning application on the grounds of increased air pollution from coal dust as a result of the transhipment process; noise pollution from the 24 hr operation; increased water pollution to an already heavily polluted area of the Thames Estuary; and finally loss of jobs locally due to the above forms of pollution and nationally due to the now well publicised closure of British Coal mines.Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House do see that this and any similar proposals are not allowed to, eventually, ruin our county and country.
§ To lie upon the Table.