HL Deb 08 May 1989 vol 507 cc389-90

Lord Aylestone asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action is being taken through the appropriate local authorities to warn the public of the possible danger of infection from sea bathing at some United Kingdom seaside resorts.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords. it is for local authorities, acting on the advice of their medical officer of environmental health, to warn the public of any possible danger of infection from sea bathing in their area.

Lord Aylestone

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply and note that the responsibility is placed on the local authorities. That is probably correct. Is he aware that it does not need a chemical analysis of the sea water to determine how bad the situation is? All that is necessary is to use one's eyes and sense of smell, and it becomes very vivid indeed. Is he aware that in the case of sea water that is disturbed, for example, by weather or current, it is usual to hoist a red flag warning the public not to bathe there? I am not asking for the same action; but is it not possible to introduce some method of warning the public that they and their children should not bathe in sewage?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that in certain areas the standards are not what we should like. That is why we are spending so much money in trying to improve the standards to those of the Community regulations.

Lord Mason of Barnsley

My Lords, is the Minister satisfied that, following privatisation of water authorities, the utility companies will be able to enforce the progress necessary to bring all those beaches up to the standard required by the Common Market's directive? Will the National Rivers Authority have power to enforce progress? Of the 380 beaches that are subject to the directive, how many have so far been awarded the blue flag of purity?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, on the second point, the blue flag scheme is not only for bathing waters but for the beach as well. The beach is very much the responsibility of the local authority. Part of the criteria for a blue flag award is that there should be no dogs on the beaches, as the noble Lord will know. Therefore although the bathing water might be clean, the beach might be disbarred not only as a result of dogs but because of litter and other factors. On the first question that the noble Lord asked, I have no doubt that the Water Bill, which we shall be discussing later this afternoon, will be of immense benefit.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, is the Minister aware that on the whole, mainly due to lack of resources, and because of other priorities local authorities do not put up notices where there is danger of infection from bathing waters? Will the Minister ensure that resources are available to local authorities in order for them to undertake their own monitoring of bathing water and to take steps to warn the public about beaches where appropriate? Does the Minister understand that in many instances it is a question of resources and not will?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, as the noble Lord knows, we give substantial sums of money to local authorities. How they spend that money is up to them.

Lord Paget of Northampton

My Lords, now that the weather has so improved, will the noble Earl include in his advice a note saying that the risk is well worth taking?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, if temperatures such as those at present continue, it might be possible to bathe in some comfort off the British Isles.

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