HC Deb 22 January 1992 vol 202 c300
5. Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the working of the litter provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Mr. Trippier

The Government's litter legislation gives ordinary citizens the right to take action in the courts if public land is not kept clear of litter. Most local authorities and others under the new litter duty have responded well. But if they neglect the duties, local people can now do something about it.

Mr. Burns

Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating Chelmsford borough council on fully embracing the powers given to it under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and urge other local authorities to follow its example? Is he aware that since appointing two litter wardens three months ago the council has apprehended 50 litter offenders and had six successful prosecutions against those dumping litter? Does my hon. Friend agree that that, combined with the council's educational programme, will ensure that the battle against the litter lout is waged effectively by Chelmsford borough council?

Mr. Trippier

I should like my hon. Friend to convey to Chelmsford borough council that I believe that it has set a fine example of what local authorities can and should do now that we have given them those powers. As hardly any of the measures catalogued by my hon. Friend cost money, I wish that some Labour councils would follow Tory Chelmsford's example and stop bellyaching about shortage of cash.

Mr. Skinner

Does the Minister recall that a few years ago the then Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Finchley (Mrs. Thatcher), went to St. James's park with a bag and one of her Secretaries of State to pick up litter and had a great photo opportunity? When walking around London now, things are even worse. I have a suggestion: the right hon. Member for Finchley will finish work when the election is called; take her on permanently and let Lady Porter carry the bag.

Mr. Trippier

No one is more qualified to talk about rubbish than the hon. Gentleman. I ask him and the House to be patient and wait for a report which is to be published shortly by the Tidy Britain Group. It will show, in contrast to what the hon. Gentleman suggested, that London is a cleaner place as a result of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 .