Written question asked by Lord Fearn (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 9 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 January 2001. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 15 January 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 information he has collated on the effect of commercial sand extraction on the decline of the shrimp harvest in the Ribble Estuary. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Fearn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has collated on the effect of commercial sand extraction on the decline of the shrimp harvest in the Ribble Estuary. [144944] Ms Beverley Hughes: The Secretary of State has not collated any information on the effect of commercial sand extraction on the decline of the shrimp harvest in the Ribble Estuary. He is, however, aware that commercial sand extraction is taking place at Sefton Beach within the Ribble Estuary. He has been asked by the Local Minerals Planning Authority, Sefton Borough Council, to call in two planning applications for continued sand extraction in this location for, respectively, 10-year and 12-month periods. He is currently considering this request and will announce his decision shortly.

Secondary information