§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in finding alternative sources of sand for flood defence works other than source extraction from Race Bank; what environmental impact studies are continuing in respect of sand extraction from Race Bank; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe National Rivers Authority has sought tenders for the supply of sand for the Lincolnshire sea defences in 1994 from a range of sources, including existing licensed areas as well as Race Bank. Those tenders are now being evaluated before decisions are made on the source of material to be used in this year's operations.
A substantial environmental assessment programme has already been completed in respect of the Race Bank and the outstanding results of the Hull university studies relating to the seasonal variability of crab populations and marine environmental conditions in and around the area of Race Bank will be available later this year. Those results will inform decisions to be made about the source of sand to be used in the Lincolnshire sea defences in 1995 and subsequent years.