§ 31. Mrs. Kellett-Bowmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to announce the result of his review of the system of fines imposed for pollution.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI shall propose, as soon as opportunity for legislation offers, that the fines that can be awarded on summary conviction should be increased substantially, and that more offences should be dealt with on indictment.
§ Mrs. Kellett-BowmanI thank my right hon. Friend for his determination to cure offenders. Are not prevention and cure better than punishment? Will he take note that in my constituency with the assistance of the Electricity Research Council, we are attempting to cure a very serious pollution problem by means of an oxidation ditch? If we are successful, will my right hon. Friend encourage other local authorities to follow our example?
§ Mr. WalkerI will certainly encourage local authorities to follow any example which succeeds in this way. It is because we believe that prevention is the best possible means that we have taken measures to increase the strength and size of the Alkali Inspectorate.
§ Mr. PavittWill the Secretary of State examine the whole question of the disposal of mercury cell batteries, hundreds of thousands of which are thrown away each week by users of hearing aids? This is having an effect on pollution in food intake.
§ Mr. WalkerI will examine this matter. The topic has not been raised with me individually. The disposal of any article with mercury in it can cause substantially adverse results. We recently discovered that the disposal of thermometers by a hospital was causing adverse effects on a river. I welcome the hon. Gentleman's comments.