§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many bathing beaches in Wales have achieved a blue flag award; and what steps he is taking to ensure more beaches meet the same standards of cleanliness.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettOne beach in Wales, Cefn Sidan, was awarded a blue flag in 1990. A major programme of investment is under way to bring bathing waters designated under EC directive 76/160/EEC up to standard and to implement the Government's decisions on levels of treatment to be given to discharges to coastal and estuarial waters. The cost in the United Kingdom of these programmes is estimated at £3.5 billion. It will be for local authorities or, in some cases, the owner, to capitalise on this and bring their beaches up to the requisite standards.