§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the time scale for the implementation, by the United Kingdom, of recommendations contained in the EC bathing water directive. [12497]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe bathing water directive provides for a 10-year time scale for compliance following its notification in 1976. However, the majority of United Kingdom bathing waters were not identified until 1987. The £2,000 million programme of bathing water improvements, which is now substantially complete, is intended to achieve the required standards as quickly as possible. Significant progress has been made with compliance against the coliform bacteria standards, rising from 66 per cent. in 1988 to 90 per cent. last year.