Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government why permission to check deep sediment samples for (1) pyridine, and (2) other dangerous substances, at dredging and digging locations on the River Tees has been refused.

The MMO have not yet received a request for a licence or for advice to sample in the relevant area. Sampling of sediment from the seabed does not necessarily require a Marine Licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) if certain criteria are met. Information on when a licence from MMO may be required for sediment sampling can he found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/marine-licensing-sediment-analysis-and-sample-plans.