HC Deb 13 February 1979 vol 962 c479W
Dr. Reginald Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will decide whether local authorities or water authorities shall designate bathing areas in accordance with the EEC directive concerning the quality of bathing water in view of the fact that the two-year period for this decision elapsed 14 months ago.

Mr. Denis Howell

My right hon. Friend is considering the whole question of the implementation of this directive and hopes to announce his decisions soon. On timing, the main requirements of the directive are that a first report on United Kingdom bathing waters be submitted to the Commission by the end of this year and that relevant bathing waters attain the standards set out in the directive by the end of 1985.