HC Deb 05 July 1991 vol 194 cc220-1W
Mr. Walden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department is taking to incorporate assumptions about increases in the cost of mining activities to reflect the increased value placed on countryside preservation in the preparation of future forecasts of national demand for primary aggregates.

Mr. Yeo

Before new guidelines for primary aggregate provision are published the environmental costs will be carefully considered. A number of studies are in progress which will assist this task.