Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the maximum fine for cutting down a tree which has a tree preservation order(a) in Northern Ireland and (b) in England; and what plans he has to increase the fine in Northern Ireland. [18265]
§ Mr. MossIn Northern Ireland, contravention of a tree preservation order can, on summary conviction, attract a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, which is currently £5,000. In England, the statutory maximum is 109W also level 5, or twice the sum which appears to the court to be the value of the tree, whichever is the greater. There are no plans to increase the maximum fine in Northern Ireland at present.