§ 19. Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to complete his review of the statutory penalties for all pollution offences.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerSoon, Sir.
§ Mr. CormackI thank my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply. Will he press ahead with his encouragement and ensure that the penalties are really tough and are a genuine deterrent?
§ Mr. WalkerMost serious offences will be liable to trial on indictment and in such cases the courts can often impose fines without limit or terms of imprisonment. Maximum fines on summary conviction will be increased substantially. The new scales will, I am sure, provide real deterrence to offenders.