HC Deb 09 February 1972 vol 830 cc1329-30
31. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of prosecutions and convictions and the average fine imposed during the last three years in cases where offences of deliberate and injurious pollution of rivers have been committed.

The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Peter Walker)

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The number of fines in 1970 was more than double the number of fines in 1968.

Mr. Hardy

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the information which I shall read with interest and for the report he issued to local authorities earlier this week. But does he not agree that the number of convictions obtained has been inadequate and that the level of fines imposed has been too low to prove an adequate deterrent?

Mr. Walker

I do agree, and I hope that the new water authorities will propose to bring more prosecutions if necessary. I also consider that penalties should be revised, and I intend to revise them.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Does my right hon. Friend agree that where pollution takes place a great deal of advance notice is necessary before serious fines are imposed, owing to the sometimes enormous cost entailed in curing the pollution, which in many cases has been going on for years and years?

Mr. Walker

But the river authorities negotiate reasonably on these matters. The cases where fines should be imposed are those where due warning has been given and it is possible for proper action to he taken.

Following is the information: Prosecutions for offences involving the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into rivers are included in the record kept of all offences under the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Acts, 1951 and 1961. Details of the fines imposed cannot be obtained without undue cost. The following list of offences committed under these Acts for the years 1968–70 has been supplied by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department; comparable information for 1971 will not be available until later in the year.
PROSECUTION FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE RIVERS (PREVENTION OF POLLUTION) ACTS, 1951 AND 1961
Persons found guilty
Year Persons proceeded against Total Fined Otherwise dealt with
1968 33 25 23 2
1969 39 37 35 2
1970 64 60 58 2