§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he hopes to complete the removal of the jagged metal part of the barge sunk at Hallsands, South Hams; how many days he gave the National Rivers Authority to complete this work from 23 July 1993; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department is not responsible for removing the remains of the barge from the beach at Hallsands. We refused to allow the barge to remain in the sea as it was a danger to navigation. The National Rivers Authority declined to accept responsibility for the barge, which was owned by its contractor. The remains were sold to a salvage company and they were then hauled on to the beach to be cut up. We have no powers to order the clearance of the remains from the beach.