§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the remit of his Department's steering group on the resources and constraints with regard to Bristol Channel aggregates; who are the members of the steering group; which organisations they represent; on what date they will commence their study; and when he expects its completion. [14534]
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§ Mr. HagueThe steering group will be convened when a contractor has been appointed to carry out the study. It is expected to include representatives from central Government, the Crown estate, mineral planning authorities, coast protection authorities, statutory conservation agencies, port authorities, fisheries organisations and dredging companies. The group's purpose will be to advise the Welsh Office about the research and how best to progress it. The project is expected to commence in the summer and take two to three years to complete. I will ensure that the hon. Member is informed of the steering group's composition when it is established.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the environmental impact on marine ecology and fisheries of aggregate dredging(a) from the Nash bank and (b) from the Bristol channel more generally. [14533]
§ Mr. HagueAn environmental assessment is being carried out as part of the application for a licence to dredge sand from the Nash bank. It will include a comprehensive assessment of the impact on the marine ecology and fisheries. A research project, "Bristol Channel Marine Aggregates: Resources and Constraints", which will begin this summer, will provide a systematic overview of the potential environmental impacts of dredging.