§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) levels and (b) types of beach pollution were measured in Southport in each year since 1994. [132490]
§ Mr. MullinThe bathing water at Southport passed the mandatory coliform standards of the Bathing Water Directive in 1994, 1996 and 1998 but failed in 1995, 1997 and 1999. I refer the hon. Member to my Department's annual publications "Bathing Water Directive, Detailed Summary of Survey Results, United Kingdom", available in the Library, for information on levels and types of beach pollution for each year in question. Details are also available on the Environment Agency's internet site: "www.environment-agency.gov.uk", and then follow "What's in your backyard".