§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by which date all designated beaches will be prohibited from having untreated sewage discharged into their bathing waters.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 5 March at column452 that in general all substantial discharges of sewage should be treated at a sewage treatment works and that this investment programme should be completed as soon as practicable. Discussions are now being held with the water industry about implementation of this policy.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to bring all Britain's beaches up to European Community blue flag level; and by what date he hopes to achieve this.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 5 March at column452 that, in general, sewage will be treated before discharge. The cost of doing this was estimated to be £1.5 billion. The programme, which is being integrated with the £1.4 billion investment programme to bring the remaining bathing waters up to the directive's standards, is expected to last for 10 years. It will be for local authorities and other proprietors of beaches to capitalise upon this and bring their beaches up to the requisite standards.