HC Deb 24 July 1980 vol 989 c380W
Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in implementing the European Economic Community directive on freshwater fish.

Mr. Fox

A report listing the waters designated in the United Kingdom has today been sent to the Commission. In the initial round 50,388 km of rivers and canals capable of meeting the quality standards in the directive have been designated. This represents 70 per cent. of surveyed waters in Scotland and 42 per cent. in England and Wales. The total includes 1,197 km from Northern Ireland. It is expected that further designations will be made in future years.