asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish the interim results of the survey of the quality of bathing waters he announced on 3 December 1985; and if, in the light of these results, he is satisfied with the quality of the United Kingdom's bathing waters.

[pursuant to his answer, 9 April 1987, c. 388]: The results for the 1986 bathing season of the survey which I announced on 18 December 1985, are now available, and are set out in summary form for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The opportunity has been taken to include results for the extra waters included in my announcement of 3 February and also for two further waters.The individual results indicate compliance with the bacteriological parameters total and faecal coliforms specified by the bathing water directive. They show that 228 out of 368 bathing waters in England, Northern Ireland and Wales — 62 per cent. — meet the directive's standards, although I am advised that the conclusions, drawn only from the first year's monitoring results, should be regarded as provisional.Nevertheless, the results are encouraging and indicate that with the improvement schemes now being undertaken or planned by water authorities, we are well on the way towards achieving our target that all identified waters should meet the directive's standards.I shall arrange for a more detailed summary of the results to be placed in the Library. The results will also be sent to the Commission in accordance with article 13 of the bathing water directive.