§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to ensure clean bathing beaches and pollution-free rivers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesIn 1994, 76 per cent. of the Welsh bathing waters identified under the European bathing waters directive met its mandatory bacteriological standards. The most recent survey for inland waters is for 1991–93 and shows that 86.2 per cent. of river and canal lengths in the National Rivers Authoritys Welsh region are of good quality, with 11 per cent. as fair quality, 2.5 per cent. poor quality and 0.3 per cent. bad quality.
Dwr Cymru Welsh Waters investment programme for 1995–2000 involving expenditure of nearly £1 billion includes provision for further significant improvements to inland and coastal discharges. The National Rivers authority is also acting to bring about improvements to many industrial and agricultural pollution sources.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment has been made of the current level of industrial pollution in Welsh rivers and waterways;
254W(2) if he will list the 10 most polluted rivers in Wales in rank order, indicating the main pollutants contaminating the water and riverbank.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe National Rivers Authority monitors the quality of watercourses in Wales and sources of pollution. It has published The Quality of Rivers, Canals and Estuaries in England and Wales—Report of the 1990 Survey and The Quality of Rivers and Canals in England and Wales (1990–92) copies of which are in the Library of the House. Last December, the authority published interim results for 1991–93 which showed that, in its Welsh Region, 86. 2 per cent. of river and canal lengths were classed as good quality, 11 per cent. were fair quality, 2.5 per cent were poor quality and 0.3 per cent. were bad quality.