§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether the extraction of gravel in Maryport harbour has been duly authorised by his Department; and if he will cite the legislative provision under which this authorisation was given.
§ Mr. SproatI have been asked to reply.
I understand that gravel is being extracted in Maryport harbour above the low water mark of ordinary spring tides. My statutory consent is not required for this, although, under section 34(1)(c)of the Coast Protection Act 1949, my consent would be needed for extraction below that mark which caused or seemed likely to result in obstruction or danger to navigation.
In November 1979 consent was given under section 34(1) (b) of the Act, by the then Secretary of State, enabling the Westminster Dredging Company Ltd to deposit silt removed from the harbour. This consent, which expires in November next, permitted 500,000 cubic metres of dredged spoil to be pumped by pipeline from the silted-up docks to be deposited along the foreshore north of the North Pier.