§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review Minerals Policy Guidance 6 following the recent floods. [151812]
§ Ms Beverley HughesMinerals Planning Guidance Note 6 (MPG6) sets out "Guidelines for the provision of aggregates in England". It is currently under review and it is at present planned that public consultation on a draft revision will be undertaken later this year. That draft revision will make appropriate references to other guidance including Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 (PPG25) "Development and Flood Risk". The publication of a revised draft of PPG25, for fast-track consultation, was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning in a written answer to my hon. Friend on 6 February 2001,Official Report, column 456W. That draft refers briefly to mineral workings in flood plain areas that could affect water storage and the control of flooding. We will consider, in the light of responses, whether this needs to be elaborated in the final text of PPG25. This will be the primary document giving planning guidance on flood risk.