HC Deb 06 July 1994 vol 246 c243W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been commissioned by his Department on the possible link between dirty beaches, seawater and children's health.

Mr. Atkins

The four-year study into the health effects of sea bathing, commissioned by the Department and others, and published in January this year included children's health. In the main part of the investigation, 52 per cent. of swimmers and 31 per cent. of paddlers studied in the beach surveys were children of 5 to 14 years.