§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what nuclear and toxic waste was deposited in the Beaufort dyke and in other areas of the North channel and the Irish sea in each of the last 20 years. [38591]
§ Mr. BaldryThe Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for licensing the disposal of waste at sea around the coast of England and Wales. The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department performs a similar function in Scottish waters which includes Beaufort's dyke as do the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland in their waters. No nuclear waste has been dumped in the Irish sea, North channel or Beaufort's dyke. The Ministry has granted a number of licenses for the disposal of sewage sludge, industrial waste and dredged material in the North channel and Irish sea. None of this waste was toxic. The annual "Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report" published by the Directorate of Fisheries Research contains details of all licenses issued and copies are placed in the Library of the House.