Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Crustacean Deaths: North-east coast

Thursday 12 January 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Independent panel of experts established to investigate crustacean deaths on north-east coast
  • Panel findings will inform decisions regarding capital dredging for Teesside freeport project
  • Report expected from the independent panel in January 2023

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Environment
Context

Mass die-offs of marine life off Teesside caused environmental and economic damage. An independent panel was proposed to investigate these events.

Question

What progress has been made on establishing an independent panel of experts to investigate the crustacean deaths on the north-east coast in 2021?

Answer from Mark Spencer

The independent panel of experts has already been established to look at the available data, and I expect a report from the panel later this month.

Answered
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Q2 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Business & Trade Environment
Context

A mass die-off of marine life in the North Sea off Teesside raised concerns about ongoing and planned capital dredging for freeports.

Question

Will the Minister confirm whether capital dredging for the Teesside freeport project, and at other freeports including the planned freeport in Liverpool, will be paused while awaiting independent panel findings?

Answer from Mark Spencer

It is important that we get the facts as soon as possible, but I want to give the independent panel time to assess the facts. We want them to look at this independently without pressure. Once we have those facts, we can respond appropriately.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitment on pausing capital dredging projects

How: It Is Important That We Get The Facts As Soon As Possible, I Want To Give The Independent Panel Time

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Q3 Alex Sobel Labour (Co-op) Leeds Central and Headingley
Context

The official Government explanation for a mass die-off in the North Sea changed due to overwhelming evidence. An independent panel was promised.

Question

Confirm that an independent expert panel has been set up, and can he confirm that it will be reporting this month?

Answer from Mark Spencer

The report will be given to the Secretary of State, and I expect it to come this month, in January. We want to get the facts as soon as possible, and respond to them appropriately.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific assurance on completion by end of January

How: We Want To Get The Facts As Soon As Possible

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