HC Deb 07 March 1995 vol 256 cc162-3W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of recent incidents at Oxwich hay, Wales; and what plans he has to increase the monitoring of viruses in bathing water as a result.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 6 March 1995]: An investigation, carried out by the West Glamorgan health authority, and published 28 February, concluded that there was no evidence of a link between illnesses and bathing or visiting Oxwich bay. I have no present plans to require increased monitoring of viruses in bathing waters.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment what monitoring of viruses in Britain's bathing water is currently carried out; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 6 March 1995]: Monitoring for viruses in United Kingdom bathing waters is carried out in accordance with the EC bathing water directive. UK monitoring is the most extensive of any member state.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of viruses in sewage and chemical discharges on(a) human health and (b) bathing water quality.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 6 March 1995]: In January 1994, I announced and placed in the Library the results of a four-year study, funded by the Department of the Environment, the Department of Health, the Welsh Office and the National Rivers Authority, into health and bathing water quality. A detailed summary of the results of UK bathing water quality monitoring is placed in the Library each year. The results for 1994 were placed on 20 January 1995.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in how many instances water-borne viruses have been thought to be the cause of illness contracted by bathers in British waters in each of the last five years.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 6 March 1995]: I understand from the Department of Health that there is no conclusive evidence that any serious illness has been contracted by bathers in UK bathing waters during this period. The four-year study to assess the health risks of sea bathing published last year suggested that there is only a minimal risk of illness from British bathing waters.