§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 329, how many of the 50,000 tonnes of granite brought in from Sweden and France as part of the sea defence scheme have not been used and have 26W consequently been removed by lorry, out of Devon, and at what cost; and if he will make a statement as to why British granite was not used.
§ Mr. CurryAll the granite brought in from Sweden and France was used in the sea defences at Beesands. I understand that, in addition, the contractor brought in by road some 11,000 tonnes of British rock to make up an anticipated shortfall in requirements, but in the event this was not needed for the sea defences and was removed, the immediate cost being borne by the contractor. The National Rivers Authority did not specify the source of rock when inviting tenders, only that most of it should be delivered by sea, so that the choice of British or imported rock was a commercial decision by the contractor.