HL Deb 10 July 1956 vol 198 cc677-8

11.5 a.m.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will introduce a Bill to provide that any person in Great Britain dropping or leaving litter in a public place, except in a receptacle furnished for the purpose, shall be liable to prosecution and on summary conviction to a maximum penalty of one month's imprisonment without the option of a fine.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)

My Lords, the Answer is, No.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for that incisive Answer. May I ask whether nothing can be done to prevent these human pests from desecrating the countryside and the beaches with eyesores wherever they go? Is it not a shockingly bad example for the young to see their elders indulging in these disgusting and abominable habits?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I agree that it is a shocking example for the young to see older people leave litter all over parks, highways, commons and open spaces. I would, however, remind the noble Viscount that the great majority of county councils in this country, and at least three-quarters of the boroughs and county borough councils, have made bylaws under Section 249 of the Local Government Act, 1933, under which to leave litter about is an offence.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

But nothing is happening as a result of those by-laws. It is just going on.

LORD MERTHYR

My Lords, would the noble Earl not agree that so many local authorities have already made bylaws in this regard that the time is now approaching when it would be preferable to make this a law for the whole country, and not only for many parts of it?

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, would the noble Earl also take into consideration the fact that the countryside is being despoiled by many authorities? This litter nuisance is so small that the Government might think of sweeping it up into a Bill to prevent the desecration of the amenities of the people all over the countryside today.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, perhaps I might remind the House that on June 11 the Prime Minister said in another place that he, had arranged for the Minister of Housing and Local Government to assume responsibility in England and Wales for co-ordinating measures to deal with the litter nuisance. I think I need go no further today than to say that my right honourable friend is considering the matter.

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