§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many watercourses in the North West water authority area are classified under(a) class 1b and (b) class 2 categories; and whether there are any plans to alter the classification procedure in the future.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe 1985 river quality survey indicated that, of the 5,900 km of rivers and canals surveyed in the North West water authority area, 2,710 kms were in class 1a, 762 kms in class 1b, and 1,239 kms in class 2. The existing classification schemes for rivers, canals and estuaries are being reviewed in conjunction190W with the work of developing the system of statutory quality objectives provided for in the Water Act 1989, and proposals will be published in due course.