§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of changes in the quality of river and coastal water since the privatisation of water authorities. [10987]
§ Angela EagleThe Environment Agency reports a net upgrading in chemical quality of almost 28 per cent. of total monitored length of rivers and canals in England and Wales between 1990 and 1995 and an upgrading in biological quality of over 25 per cent. Although there is no comparable assessment for coastal waters, UK compliance with the bathing water directive's mandatory standards improved from 77 per cent. in 1990 to 90 per cent. in 1996.