Oral Answers to Questions

John Whittingdale Excerpts
Thursday 28th April 2022

(1 year, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Jo Churchill Portrait Jo Churchill
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Up to 2028-29, we will be investing £270 million across a programme of innovation to boost research and development, and innovation. I spoke to Northern Irish farmers only this week. They are with us in driving that forward.

John Whittingdale Portrait Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con)
- Parliament Live - Hansard - -

T6. Further to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Anna Firth), will my hon. Friend consider giving special designation to shellfish waters, such as those in the Blackwater estuary where Maldon oysters are grown, to protect them from contamination from untreated sewage discharges?

Rebecca Pow Portrait Rebecca Pow
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I have been working closely with my hon. Friend the Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food on this issue. I can confirm that Blackwater, in my right hon. Friend’s constituency, is one of 96 designated shellfish waters, which are designated to protect economically significant shellfish production.