§ Sir Hector MonroTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the results of the 1990 survey of bathing water quality; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe results of the monitoring carried out by river purification boards this year showed that 12 of the 23 identified Scottish waters met the mandatory standards for coliform bacteria set by the EC bathing water directive. This compares with 16 in 1989 and 12 in 1988. While it is disapppointing that last year's apparent improvement has not been sustained, the better weather in 1989 was, as I indicated in my announcement on 25 January this year, likely to have been a factor in the better 1989 results.
Real and lasting improvements depend on the completion of the capital works programme now in hand with increased financial provision to achieve compliance as soon as possible. The provision for water and sewerage services in Scotland now amounts to more than £500 million over the three-year period 1990–93. As a further positive measure to assist in accelerating progress I am, as previously announced and subject to parliamentary approval, making available to sewerage authorities in Scotland up to £130 million in grants over the next three years for projects which bring environmental benefits, including bathing water improvements.
A full report of the 1990 results, including details of the action now being taken to secure the compliance of individual bathing waters, has been placed in the Library and the results are also being made known to the Commission of the European Communities.
The 1990 results are set out in the table.
171W
Result Nairn (East Beach) Fail Cullen Pass Fraserburgh Pass Aberdeen Pass Montrose Pass
Result Arbroath Fail Carnoustie Pass St. Andrews (West Sands) Pass Kinghorn (Pettycur) Pass Aberdour (Silversands) Fail Gullane Pass North Berwick (Milsey Bay) Pass Yellowcraigs Fail Dunbar (Belhaven) Pass Pease Bay Pass Sandyhills Fail Girvan Fail Turnberry Fail Ayr (South Beach) Fail Prestwick Fail Troon (South Beach) Pass Irvine-Gailes (New Town) Fail Saltcoats/Ardrossan (South Beach) Fail