§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he initiated, subsequent to the publication of the report of the Commission on the Third London Airport, to undertake full-scale dredging tests, extensive borehole investigations, model studies and investigations into storm wave conditions as indicated in paragraph 18 of Appendix 13 of that report; and if he will make the results of such activity publicly available.
§ Mr. RipponThe need for full-scale dredging tests has not yet been established. Borehole investigations are now in progress. Studies on the effect of various reclamation shapes will be conducted on the new large scale model of180W the Thames estuary. Wave measurements are being made off the Maplin Sands. I will consider how far it is practicable to make available information about these investigations when they are completed.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to locate some 150 million cubic metres of suitable fill required for the reclamation of the Maplin Sands; if he will make the results of such study available for public examination; and what is his estimate of the costs of its transport to the site of the proposed new airport.
§ Mr. RipponWe have studied information on sources of supply of filling material made available to the Roskill Commission and additional information obtained by the Port of London Authority. Further site exploration of the seabed areas adjacent to the Maplin Sands is being arranged and an economic study is being undertaken to investigate sources of material, including waste materials both from the seabed and from other locations.
I will consider what information can be made available about costs of transport and sources of supply when these studies have been completed.