Minestone Tipping (Northumberland)

HC Deb 03 July 1997 vol 297 cc260-1W

Mr. Beith

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the licensing of minestone tipping in the sea of Lynemouth, Northumberland. [6333]

Mr. Morley

The deposit of material anywhere below the mean high water mark requires a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. Licences for the disposal of minestone as waste on to beaches and into the sea have not been issued since 1995.

The deposit of minestone has been authorised since 1995 for the purpose of coast protection at Lynemouth, Northumberland. The licensee, R. J. B. Mining, has recently submitted a report on the agreed programme of monitoring on the environmental effects of the use of this material which is at present under consideration by the Department.