§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he is making to the EU Environment Commissioner to dissuade her from taking legal action against the UK over the state of the bathing waters off the Fylde coast; and if he will make a statement. [148759]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 6 February 2001]: The European Commission has announced its decision to initiate proceedings before the European Court of Justice. In the 2000 bathing season, seven out of the nine bathing waters on the Fylde coast passed the mandatory bacteria coliform standards of the Bathing Water Directive, compared with only three passing in 1999. This rate of 315W improvement gives us optimism that there will be full compliance shortly and every effort is being directed towards achieving this. I have informed the Commissioner of this.