§ Mr. David Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will review the level of fines which may be imposed under section 109 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1984, with special reference to the use of estate agents' boards in residential areas; and whether he is satisfied that the maximum fines permitted provide a sufficient deterrent.
§ Mr. TraceyThe maximum fine on summary conviction of an offence under section 109(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 is prescribed at "level 3" on the standard scale of penalties (current £400), which is regularly reviewed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, in accordance with the provisions of section 46 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982. The maximum daily penalty for a continuing offence under section 109(2) of the 1971 Act is increased from £20 to £40 by virtue of provisions in the Housing and Planning Act 1986, which will be brought into force shortly. We have no plans for96W a further increase of the daily penalty at present. It is for local planning authorities to decide whether to prosecute offenders.