§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if the use of high-quality limestone for roadstone is in accordance with his policy objectives as set out in "This Common Inheritance"; [16895]
(2) if he will take powers to specify appropriate end uses for very high-quality limestones quarried in the national parks. [16894]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Government's objectives with regard to sustainable development of minerals resources is set out in minerals planning guidance note 6 issued in April last year. This gives the Government's aim that the best use should be made of the total aggregates resource by minimising waste, avoiding the use of higher quality materials where lower quality material would suffice, and encouraging the use of recycled and secondary materials in place of primary materials where possible. The Department aims to achieve these objectives by various means set out in MPG6, including undertaking research with the Department of Transport into the scope for further use of recycled materials in road construction and maintenance, and the setting up of an advisory service to inform and encourage the construction industry on the opportunities for use of alternative materials. It is not proposed to take powers to specify the end use of high-quality limestone since this would be unenforceable.