HC Deb 09 March 1990 vol 168 cc854-5W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Medway Ports Authority sought his approval under sections 60 or 73 of the Port of London Authority Act before commissioning dredging and associated works in the Medway approach channel; on what date approval was given; and whether he imposed any conditions or restrictions relating to the deposit or laying down of dredgings and spoil.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Secretary of State's approval has not been sought to dredging in the Medway approach channel. I understand that the Port of London Authority granted a licence for such dredging to the Medway Ports Authority on 18 September 1989 under section 73 of the Port of London Authority Act 1968.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Medway Ports Authority sought his approval, under section 36 of the Medway Ports Authority Act 1975, before dumping dredgings in the area known as Lappel Bank in the Medway approach channel; on what date approval was given; and whether he imposed any conditions or restrictions.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Medway Ports Authority sought the Secretary of State's approval on 6 February 1990 under section 36(2) of the Medway Ports Authority Act 1973 to deposit 26,000 cu m of dredged spoil from within the port below the level of mean high water springs at Lappel Bank, Sheerness.

The authority had already sought the Secretary of State's approval on 5 July 1989 under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 to reclaim 120.34 acres of the Lappel Bank foreshore, using 2.6 million cu m of spoil dredged from the Medway approach channel.

The authority was advised on 22 September 1989 that there were no navigational objections to the proposed works. Approval under section 36(2) of the 1973 Act was granted to deposit material, as specified in the authority's application of 6 February, on 2 March without any conditions or restrictions.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the importance of the Medway approach channel and Lappel Bank for wildlife and its fulfilment of the criteria for protection under the European Community Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.

Mr. McLoughlin

None. The responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to the works on these sites were limited to considering their effects on safety of navigation.