§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has conducted as to the effects of industrial dredging on the United Kingdom coastal erosion.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 17 June 1988]: Two specific studies have been undertaken by Hydraulics Research Ltd. into the possible effects of marine dredging for sand and gravel on erosion of the United Kingdom coast. These are:
Wave Attenuation over Uneven Sea Bed Topography—A Study of Wave Changes in relation to Offshore Dredging. September 1983.Sand and Gravel Mobility in relation to Offshore Dredging—A Radioactive Tracer Study in the Shipway Channel off the Suffolk Coast. February 1984.The possible effects of marine sand and gravel dredging on coastal erosion were reviewed in a recent study of the United Kingdom aggregates dredging industry entitled "Marine Dredging for Sand and Gravel," which was commissioned by the Department of the Environment and published by HMSO in 1987.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last reviewed the effects of industrial dredging upon the United Kingdom coastline.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 17 June 1988]: A report on marine dredging for sand and gravel was published by HMSO in 1987. It includes a section on the interaction of dredging with the coastal environment and a review of the known literature on shoreline stability in so far as it is relevant.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many tonnes of gravel for484W commercial use were extracted from the sea bed off the United Kingdom coast by industrial dredging vessels for each year since 1979;
(2) how many tonnes of sand for industrial use were extracted from the sea bed off the United Kingdom coast by industrial dredging vessels for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 17 June 1988]: No figures are available to identify separately the sand and the gravel extracted off the United Kingdom coast. However, the combined tonnages of sand and gravel dredged from the sea areas off the coast of the United Kingdom for each year since 1979, in millions of tonnes, are as follows:
Tonnes Millions 1979 18 1980 17 1981 15.3 1982 14.8 1983 15.9 1984 15.4 1985 16.3 1986 17.6
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions he has had with his European Economic Community colleagues as to the number of licences to be issued for industrial dredging off the European Economic Community coastline; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what discussions he has had with his European Economic Community colleagues aimed at limiting the number of vessels involved in industrial dredging; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 17 June 1988]: There have been no discussions with European Economic Community colleagues concerning either the number of licences for sand and gravel dredging off the coastline of the European Economic Community or the number of vessels involved. The Crown Estate Commissioners manage the rights to exploit minerals (other than gas or oil) in territorial waters and on the United Kingdom continental shelf and it is they who are responsible for the issue of licences to dredge such minerals.