§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he now hopes to complete consideration of penalties for those found guilty of emitting toxic substances into the North Sea.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAs I said in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 29th February, legislation to regulate dumping into the sea will be introduced when parliamentary time permits. Penalties for infringements will form part of such a Bill. I do not think that it would be appropriate to announce details of the levels of fines which would be proposed in advance of other provisions, but I can repeat that it is the Government's intention that the legislation would provide for penalties in line with those for dumping offences on land.—[Vol. 832, c.65–6.]