§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tonnes of material dredged annually from harbours, ports and fairways is used in the building industry; and what percentage of the dredged materials it constitutes.
§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what methods are used to assess the suitability of material dredged from harbours, ports and fairways for use in the building industry; who makes the assessment; and whether it is carried out on each boatload dredged.
§ Mr. CurryI have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to ans\ners given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales on dredging on 12 June, at column 312.
The Ministry has a duty under section 8 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to ensure before issuing a licence to dispose of dredged material at sea that all other disposal options have been examined and that it is satisfied that no practical alternative is available.
80WA detailed assessment of each application is made by Ministry scientists based on information provided by the applicant about the physical and chemical nature, origin, relative amounts and total tonnage of the materials involved and of the results of analyses of samples submitted. This assessment will include the possibility of commercial use as building aggregate or other beneficial uses including beach replenishment and coastal defence work.