asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take action to prevent the EEC from preparing Community legislation on clean beaches and other matters for which action on a national basis is more suitable.

The EEC directive on the quality of bathing water was adopted by the Council of Ministers in 1975 and is now being implemented. I do not know of any other initiative for action in this field. Preparation of EEC legislation is a matter for the Commission; it is entitled to make such proposals as it thinks fit to member States for their consideration.