§ Mr. Win Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the possibility of legal proceedings being instituted against the proposed privatised water authorities for failure to comply with directive 76/160/EEC on the water quality standards of designated bathing areas.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe 'bathing water' directive (76/160/EEC) is addressed to the member states. It would104W be for Her Majesty's Government to respond to any legal proceedings the Commission might bring concerning the application of the directive in the United Kingdom. Privatisation of the water industry will not change this.
§ Mr. Win Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received representations from the Commission of the European Communities about a possible European Court of Justice action against the United Kingdom Government or the responsible water authorities for failing to comply with directive 76/160/EEC on the water quality standards of designated bathing areas.
§ Mr. MoynihanThere have been requests from the Commission for information in respect of individual bathing waters which have been the subject of representations to the Commission. We have responded to these requests.