HC Deb 17 January 1989 vol 145 c147W
Mr. Heddle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has initiated with local authority associations, representatives of the construction industry and others about the illegal tipping of building materials.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

There was very extensive consultation before the Government announcement of 29 June last of their intention to impose on waste producers, including those in the construction industry, a duty to care to ensure the safe and legal disposal of their wastes. The announcement also contained the Government's intention to require the registration of carriers of waste with powers to remove carriers from the register if they are convicted of waste disposal offences, including fly-tipping. Consultation is currently in progress on proposals to make registered keepers of vehicles used in fly-tipping liable to prosecution.

Mr. Heddle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to impose tougher penalties to curb the illegal tipping of building materials.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Penalties for fly-tipping include fines of up to £2,000 or, on indictment, unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment. We have no plans at present to increase these.