HC Deb 28 April 1993 vol 223 cc428-9W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made in implementing(a) the EC bathing waters directive, (b) the EC urban waste waters directive and (c) the EC shellfish waters directive; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclean

With respect to the bathing waters directive, I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave the honourable Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 18 November 1992,Official Report, c 208. I recently announced the publication of draft implementing regulations and an accompanying guidance note for the EC urban waste water treatment directive. Copies of these, and of another consultation paper about the methodology for identifying sensitive areas under the directive, which was issued on 26 March, have been placed in the Library of the House. Twenty-nine waters have been designated under the shellfish waters directive in the United Kingdom. The National Rivers Authority monitors these waters in accordance with the directive's requirements.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the Government have to contribute towards the costs of implementing(a) the EC bathing waters directive, (b) the EC urban waste waters directive and (c) the shellfish waters directive, in the South West Water services area.

Mr. Maclean

The cost of these obligations falls to the privatised water companies, using the funds available to them.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to seek EC permission to delay implementation of(a) the EC bathing waters directive, (b) the EC urban waste waters directive and (c) the EC shellfish waters directive.

Mr. Maclean

The time allowed for application to the European Commission for permission to delay implementation of the provisions of the bathing waters directive has expired. My Department will be drawing up an implementation programme for the urban waste water treatment directive, in accordance with its requirements, by the end of this year. There is no provision in the shellfish waters directive allowing member states to seek permission to delay implementation.