§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the numbers of people using the water environment and its surrounds for recreational purposes.
§ Mr. MoynihanMembership of organised clubs in Great Britain for the sports of angling, canoeing, rowing, sub aqua, water skiing and sailing in 1985 totalled an estimated 510,000. This figure underestimates the total number of users as it does not take account of casual users of water areas for recreation. Figures from the 1983 general household survey also indicate that this figure is an underestimate.
From the limited data available, it is reckoned that approximately 2 million people per year make use of the water environment for recreation.