HC Deb 26 July 1993 vol 229 cc664-5W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish figures showing(a) the tonnage totals permitted to be deposited in each river estuary in Wales and (b) the actual tonnage deposited for (i) zinc, (ii) cadmium, (iii) lead, (iv) copper, (v) mercury and (vi) chromium in (1) 1991 (2) 1992.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

The following levels of dredged material were licensed for disposal at sites in Welsh estuaries in 1991. 1992 figures are not yet available.

Thousand Tonnes
Cardiff Grounds 3,178
Newport 3,500
Uskmouth 120

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

There are no specific amounts licensed for individual contaminants but prior to licensing the concentrations of each contaminant in the dredged material are measured to ensure that those amounts are acceptable for disposal at sea.

The amounts of the contaminants deposited at each of these sites in 1991 was published in table 2.24 of the Environmental Digest for Wales, No. 7, available in the Library of the House. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the tonnage of(a) cadmium, (b) zinc, (c) lead, (d) copper, (e) mercury and (f) chromium disposed of off the coasts of Wales in (i) 1991 and (ii) 1992.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

The information requested for 1991 was published in table 2.23 of the Environmental Digest for Wales, No. 7, available in the Library of the House. Figures for 1992 are not yet available.