§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the criteria used to determine river quality are identical throughout the European Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMember states each use different systems for monitoring and assessing river quality. A review of the various European systems prepared for the Department in 1987 included a comparison of the quality of European rivers according to the classification system in use in England and Wales. This showed that 95 per cent. of river length in the United Kingdom was of good or fair quality compared with 75 per cent. in the European Community as a whole. The review showed that no other member state bettered our position.