§ Mr. FENBYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether representations have been made to the Mercantile Marine Department of the Board of Trade by the Bridlington rural district council and the local branch of the National Farmers' Union respecting an order, to take effect on 31st December, 1925, prohibiting the removal of material used for road-making from the foreshore in the parishes of Barmston, Ulrome and Skipsea; if he is aware that such order will have the effect of pauperising several persons in these parishes and will mean an addition to the highway rate of the above council of at least 8d. in the £; and if he will take steps either to rescind or modify such order?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKRepresentations have been received from the bodies mentioned in the first part of the question. The decision referred to was not taken until after a public inquiry had been held by one of the professional officers of the Board, at which all the interests concerned were fully heard. From this officer's report it is clear that serious erosion is taking place along this part of the coast, and there can be no doubt that this process is accelerated by the removal of material from the foreshore. It is for this reason that it has been decided to stop such removals, but considerations such as those referred to in the second and third parts of the question prompted the decision to postpone the operation of this order until the end of the year, so that those at present engaged in the gravel catching industry could have an opportunity of looking for other means of obtaining a livelihood, and the local authorities could have time to make new arrangements for the supply of materials for the repair of their roads. For these reasons the answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.