§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects work to begin on a comprehensive study of all mineral deposits in the Bristol channel; and what specific instructions will he given to those carrying out the study.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordA research project designed to examine the aggregates resources of the Bristol channel146W is in the Department's geological and minerals research programme. It is expected that work will start in 1995–96. The specific aims of the project will be to make a comprehensive appraisal of the existing data to provide a clear indication of the physical processes, marine ecology and marine aggregate resources of the Bristol channel. This will provide essential information for the development of coastal protection policy and the determination of applications for marine aggregates extraction in the area.