§ Norman LambTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much income has been raised by the Crown Estates from dredging licences issued in respect of(a) all dredging offshore and (b) dredging of sites off the Norfolk coast, broken down by individual dredging licence, in (i) 2002 and (ii) 2003; and if he will make a statement. [147546]
§ Keith HillWhile my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for determining the environmental consents which are needed to support marine dredging licences issued by the Crown Estate, he has no responsibility for the Crown Estate itself or for its royalty revenues from marine minerals dredging.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 30 October 2003, Official Report, column 334W, which included information from the Crown Estate that stated that its royalty income for 2002 from marine minerals dredging off the Norfolk coast was £5.29 million. The Crown Estate has now informed me that its total royalty income for 2002 from all offshore marine minerals dredging was £13.02 million. Comparable figures for 2003 are not yet available. The Crown Estate has also advised me that its policy is to release financial details of individual licences or leases only with the agreement of the companies involved because the information can be commercially sensitive.
Information about marine dredging licences and licensees can be obtained from the Crown Estate website at www.crownestate.co.uk