Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 22 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 October 2003. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Thursday, 30 October 2003 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what studies he has commissioned into the impact of offshore dredging on coastal erosion.

Answer: 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.

Secondary information