§ Mr. ChurchillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require local authorities to fly red flags, or similar clear warnings of danger to be displayed, along all beaches where bathing may be hazardous to health, according to information available to him through the European Community or his own Department
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 3 March 1989]: A total of 67 per cent. of our bathing waters now meet the standards of the EC bathing water directive and water authorities are developing improvement programmes for the remaining waters. However, failure of a bathing water to meet these standards does not mean there is a serious health hazard. This would only arise in exceptional circumstances and it would then be for local environmental health officers to advice on appropriate action, including the provision of health warnings.