Bathing Water Standards

HC Deb 17 February 1998 vol 306 cc600-1W

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he proposes to make beaches cleaner. [29544]

Angela Eagle

Following the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie) on 4 December 1997,Official Report, columns 289–91, the Environment Agency is preparing a report on the prospects for compliance with EU bathing water quality standards and the action needed on bathing waters which persistently fail. The report will take into account improvements resulting from completion of the remaining schemes in the bathing water improvement programme, implementation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and the Agency's new policy on consents for discharges close to bathing waters. As part of the current review of water company prices, options for more investment to improve bathing water standards are being addressed and initial decisions will be taken this summer.