Written question asked by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 February 2001. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 26 February 2001 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the demand for (a) red and (b) yellow sandstone over the next 20 years. - Includes ref to Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6 "Guidelines for aggregates provision in England".

Answer: Mr. Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the demand for (a) red and (b) yellow sandstone over the next 20 years. [150816] Ms Beverley Hughes: The Secretary of State has made no estimate of the demand for (a) red and (b) yellow sandstone over the next 20 years. Estimates of demand for aggregate minerals at the national and regional levels were published in Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6 "Guidelines for aggregates provision in England" in 1994. Figures were provided for crushed rock but not for separate types of crushed rock such as sandstone. It was left to Mineral Planning Authorities to consider the implications for specific types of mineral within their administrative areas. MPG6 is being reviewed with a view to publication of revised guidance next year. Current and likely levels of future demand for aggregates as a whole will be considered as part of that process.

Secondary information