§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the studies undertaken by the working party in his Department on the effects of sand dredging.
§ Mr. MacleanI have been asked to reply.
My Department has undertaken one specific study on the effects of marine dredging in the Hilbre Swash area of Liverpool bay. This was completed in 1990. Any application to dredge for aggregates which comes before my Department is carefully examined for potential environmental effects including the potential effect on the coastline.