§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what responsibility his Department has for promoting the interests of the marine aggregates industry.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 4 March 1994]: My Department has sponsorship responsibility for the construction products and materials industries generally, and including. the marine aggregates industry. It provides a first point of contact for the products and materials sectors; acts as the link between Government and the industry; speaks for the industry in Government; and co-ordinates action on environmental issues that affect the products and materials sectors of the industry. My Department also co-ordinates the Government view procedure which is a prerequisite for the licensing of extraction.