Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many incidents of pollution of English watercourses have resulted in bathing restrictions being implemented on (a) watercourses and (b) beaches in each year for which data is available.

The responsibility for implementing restrictions at designated bathing waters lies with the relevant local authority. The Environment Agency advises local authorities when water quality is likely to be adversely affected by pollution. Records of what action is taken in relation to this advice would be held by the local authority.