River Tyne (Dredging) (Hansard, 5 November 2003)

§ Mr. Nicholas Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations on the River Tyne that are the subject of discussions between his Department and the Port of Tyne Authority concerning the dredging and disposal of contaminated sediment. [136027]

§ Dr. Howells
The locations on the River Tyne that are the subject of the application from the Port of Tyne Authority to DEFRA for a licence for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment, submitted in February 2003, are referenced in the application as:

A. A & P (Tyne) Ltd. North Shields

B. Branmore Investments Ltd. (ex-Cammell Laird (South Shields Ltd.)

C. AkerMcNultyLtd.

D. Swan Hunter (Tyneside) Ltd. East Fitting Out Quay

E. A & P (Tyne) Ltd.—Wallsend Dry Docks

F. Neptune Yard

G. A & P (Tyne) Ltd.—Hebburn Bede Quay, West Quay & No 2 Dry Dock

H. Shepherds Offshore Ltd. Offshore Technology Park

I. Bill Point—Channel

On-going discussions on this issue are primarily between the Port of Tyne Authority and DEFRA.

§ Mr. Nicholas Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what alternative disposal routes his Department has identified with the Port of Tyne Authority for contaminated sediment dredged from the River Tyne. [136028]

§ Dr. Howells
It is not for the Department for Transport to determine alternative disposal routes for contaminated sediment dredged from the River Tyne. The Port of Tyne Authority made an application, in February 2003, to DEFRA for a licence for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment from various locations on the River Tyne. Discussions on matters of detail relating to this application are on-going and, primarily, for the Port Authority and DEFRA.

§ Mr. Nicholas Brown
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the negotiations between the Port of Tyne Authority and his Department concerning the dredging of the river to reach a conclusion. [136029]

§ Dr. Howells
Negotiations concerning the dredging of the River Tyne are primarily for the Port of Tyne Authority and DEFRA in connection with the Port Authority's application for a licence, submitted to DEFRA in February 2003, for the dredging and sea disposal of contaminated sediment from various locations on the river. Discussions between the Port Authority and the Department for Transport about this matter will continue until such time as a satisfactory conclusion is reached. I am aware that further information is being sought from the Port of Tyne Authority as part of their on-going discussions with DEFRA and that a final decision cannot be reached644W until such time as all the facts are to hand. It is not possible at this stage to say when this might be but the need to move to an early resolution is fully recognised.