HC Deb 17 July 1981 vol 8 cc495-6W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what evidence he has available to him of the extent of sewage pollution at bathing beaches in the United Kingdom;

(2) if he will list the seaside resorts whose beaches he has designated as being within the limits of bacteriological pollution set by the European Economic Community directive on traditional bathing areas;

(3) what steps he is taking to reduce the extent of sewage and industrial waste pollution affecting bathing beaches and to ensure that standards comply with those laid down in the European Economic Community directive on the subject.

Mr. Giles Shaw

My hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Fox) announced the list of waters which have been identified as falling within the definitions contained in the EEC directive in answer to the question on 14 December 1979 from my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson)—[Vol. 975, c. 818.] The large majority of these waters already comply fully with the standards laid down in the directive. Where improvements are needed water authorities are considering what has to be done to ensure compliance, either by the date set in the directive or, in exceptional circumstances, through a plan of management as provided for in article 4.3 of the directive. The quality standards set by the directive are mainly designed to reflect amenity considerations. Health surveillance extending over many years does not point to any practical health risk from bathing around our coastline. Expenditure on further improvements to coastal discharges must therefore be a matter for local discretion in the light of local considerations of need and priority. Information about the water quality in individual bathing areas is a matter for the appropriate water and local authorities.

Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to take steps to take clean bathing beaches in accordance with the relevant European Economic Community regulation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave today to the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright).

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what progress is being made towards meeting the EEC bathing water directive announced in 1976; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will list those resorts which were included on his Department's list to the EEC in response to its request for a list of beaches where swimming was traditionally practised by a large number of bathers.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave today to the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Cartwright).