AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES AND NATIONAL PARKS

That this House welcomes the announcement by Aggregate Industries UK Ltd that it is to scale down significantly its activities at its quarry sites within existing national parks; notes in particular that, within existing boundaries of national parks, the company will no longer submit applications under any circumstances for new greenfield mineral workings and no planning applications will be submitted for the lateral extension of any existing quarry outside currently consented boundaries; congratulates Aggregate Industries on its commitments to the International Standard for Environmental Management Systems, ISO 14001, at all of its 155 sites across Britain including all of its 62 quarries; and recognises that this announcement is an important development in striking the right balance between the nation's construction needs and a sustainable environment.