Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 May 1996. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 May 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What legislation governs (i) a local authority's and (ii) an urban development corporation's responsibilities for the safety, cleanliness and maintenance of freshwater used for recreational purposes.

Answer: Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislation governs (i) a local authority's and (ii) an urban development corporation's responsibilities for the safety, cleanliness and maintenance of freshwater used for recreational purposes.[29198] Mr. Clappison: The environmental health departments of local authorities can make available data on the quality and any potential health risk of recreational waters, so that the public can decide whether to use them. If there is reason to suspect that there may be a specific health problem concerning the quality of the water it would be for the local environmental health department, in consultation with the consultant in communicable disease control and the director of public health, to decide what action would be appropriate. The powers under which environmental health departments operate are many and varied but, in the main, stem from public health legislation. Urban development corporations have no specific statutory powers in respect of the question the hon. Member raises. However, for the London Docklands development corporation the London Docklands Development Corporation Act 1994 confers powers on the LDDC for the management and regulation of certain lands and waters within its area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 29198; 277 c484W
Session: 1995-96
Subjects: Environmental health Local government Pollution Powers Water Urban development corporations Water sports