§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which rivers in England are wholly or partly within the lowest category of wholesomeness.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe river quality survey 1985 showed that about 2 per cent, of total river length in England was classified as being of bad quality—class 4—which is the lowest category in the national classification scheme. Three quarters of these rivers are in the older industrial areas of the north-west and Yorkshire, and major schemes of improvement are underway. The Government's policy is for upgrading of all remaining class 4 rivers.
I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the map which shows the location of rivers within this classification. Further details are contained in the survey, copies of which are available in the Library.