HC Deb 30 October 2003 vol 412 cc341-2W
Norman Lamb

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the impact of offshore dredging on coastal erosion. [134761]

Keith Hill

There is no evidence that licensed marine minerals dredging has an impact on the rate of coastal erosion but, as a precaution, each environmental statement that accompanies an application to dredge must include a coastal impact assessment. This is subjected to close scrutiny to ensure that the results are satisfactory before a licence can be given. Most licences are subject to monitoring conditions and no licence has been terminated because of adverse impacts on the coast.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what studies he has commissioned into the impact of offshore dredging on coastal erosion. [134762]

Keith Hill

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not commissioned studies into the impact of offshore dredging on coastal erosion. Every marine minerals dredging proposal is subjected to environmental impact assessment. Every dredging licence application is therefore accompanied by an environmental statement that includes a specific coastal impact study. This is subject to wide consultation and publicity. It is carefully scrutinised by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences on behalf of Defra to determine whether the proposal is environmentally acceptable. Only if the proposal is acceptable is a licence for dredging issued. The licence is normally subject to conditions requiring environmental monitoring and is time limited so that account could be taken of unforeseen environmental impacts if any were to occur.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the sites of dredging activity offshore; and if he will place a map of sites in the Library. [134763]

Keith Hill

Dredging activity offshore is statutorily controlled by a number of bodies including the Crown Estate, coast protection authorities, the Department of Transport, harbour and port authorities, local planning authorities and some private owners of seabed.

There is no central record of all types of offshore dredging. However, most marine minerals dredging is licensed by the Crown Estate and I have asked it to provide a schedule and maps of all currently licensed dredging areas. I will forward these to the hon. Member as soon as I receive them and will arrange for copies to be available in the Library of the House.

Information about offshore dredging licences issued by the Crown Estate is also available on the Crown Estate's website: www.crownestate.co.uk which is regularly updated.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many licences have been granted in each of the last five years for dredging off the coast of Norfolk. [134764]

Keith Hill

Nearly all marine minerals dredging is licensed by the Crown Estate which informs that no new or extended licences were issued in 1998, 2000, 2001 or 2002 off the coast of Norfolk. In 1999, revised licences were issued for Areas 436 and 202 so that the tonnage to be dredged was not increased. In 2003 an existing licence for Area 254 was extended for a further 15 years.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what income has been received by Crown Estates in each of the last five years for dredging licences in respect of sites off the Norfolk coast. [134822]

Keith Hill

The Crown Estate inform me that its Royalty Income from off the Norfolk Coast was:

£million
1998 4.44
1999 4.77
2000 6.16
2001 5.36
2002 5.29