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Media Release Release: 11 July 2000 Contact: Peter Black on (029 20) 898361 or 07774 256123 Treasury rakes in money from sand dredging The Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has revealed that since 1955 the Treasury has raked in nearly £19 million in revenue from sand dredging operations in the Bristol Channel. The information was supplied by the Assembly Library following a question from Mr. Black. They said that although there is no licence fee payable to the Crown Estate as such to dredge sand, they do get a royalty for every tonne of material landed. The net surplus revenue is paid to the Treasury. According to Mr. Black, this means that the Government has a vested interest in continuing dredging in the Bristol Channel. "Clearly, the 100 million tonnes of sand that has been removed in the last 45 years has had a huge impact on the beaches in Gower and Porthcawl. However, this information has shown that it has also boosted Government coffers." "£19 million may be a small sum to the Government but it gives them a vested interest in the dredging continuing. That cannot be right. This money should be used to put right the environmental damage that the dredging has done to some of our most beautiful beaches." |