§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the bathing water quality statistics were for beaches in the UK in each of the last 20 years, broken down by region. [178428]
§ Mr. MorleyComparable bathing water quality statistics for beaches are only available from 1987 after the number of bathing waters within the scope of the EC bathing water directive was substantially increased. Percentage compliance with the directive's main microbiological standards was as follows:
Percentage England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland 1987 56 65 57 64 1988 65 52 77 88 1989 75 70 83 100 1990 79 52 70 94 1991 74 65 88 100 1992 79 65 76 94 1993 79 78 82 94 1994 83 70 76 94 1995 89 83 88 94 1996 89 91 91 100 1997 88 78 94 88 1998 90 52 94 94 1999 90 88 99 100 2000 94 85 99 100 2001 98 85 93 81 2002 99 92 100 94 2003 99 95 99 100 A more detailed summary of bathing water quality statistics has been produced every year since 1986 and placed in the Library.