The Department has granted a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to Cattewater Harbour Commissioners (valid from 28 July 2006 until 27 July 2007) that authorises the disposal of up to 19,500 tonnes of maintenance dredgings from the Harbour at the Rame Head disposal site. This quantity represents a relatively small fraction of the quantity of material which has regularly been disposed of in Whitsand Bay.
Licence applications are subject to robust assessment, in consultation with a range of stakeholders, and include a scientific analysis of the material for disposal. The material was assessed as suitable for disposal at sea and, while Cornwall county council objected to the continued use of Rame Head, other stakeholders were content for the licence to be issued.
In recognition of local concerns which have been voiced over the continued use of the Rame Head site, discussions have taken place with local scientists and stakeholders and a public meeting has been held to explain the evidence of underpinning licence decisions and the results of monitoring.
Although this did not convince all those opposed to the use of Rame Head, the Department considers that, subject to ongoing monitoring, disposal activity at the site is environmentally acceptable.
In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 28 November 2006, Official Report, column 497W.