§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to clean up beaches in Wales that have banned swimming due to pollution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Welsh Office has agreed with Dwr Cymru, as a first priority, a programme of improvement works to bathing waters in Wales designated under the terms of the EC bathing waters directive which presently fail or are at risk of failing to meet the bacteriological standards of the directive. I am not aware of bathing having been banned at any of those locations. Once this improvement programme has been completed, it will be for the National Rivers Authority to agree priorities with Dwr Cymru about improvement work remaining to be done.