HC Deb 24 January 1990 vol 165 cc729-30W
Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland have been prosecuted for illegal dumping of rubbish on the roads and highways in each of the last five years.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Information on the number of persons prosecuted under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 for illegal dumping of rubbish is set out in the table. No information is collected on the location of the offence

Year Persons proceeded against
1984 78
1985 31
1986 29
1987 29
1988 47

Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions have been made against companies that have illegally disposed of chemical or industrial wastes in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The information in the table relates to company prosecutions for offences included in the Scottish Home and Health Department's classification as offences relating to the control of pollution.

These offences include the Control of Pollution Act 1974, the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Acts, and the Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968.

Year Companies proceeded against
1984 8
1985 11
1986 8
1987 9
1988 20

Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to do a survey to assess the extent of damage and costs that illegal dumping is causing to the environment in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

We have no plans to carry out a formal survey to establish the extent and costs of illegal dumping in Scotland. This is a matter that officials of the hazardous waste inspectorate discuss with local authorities in the course of their periodic visits.

Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to give extra powers to local authorities to fight illegal dumping of waste and rubbish; and if he will be allocating any new powers to the councils;

(2) what plans he has to strengthen the laws against illegal dumping in Scotland's passing places, lay-bys and open spaces.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 contains powers to deter illegal waste dumping, which are to be enforced by district and islands councils. Part II of the Environmental Protection Bill also contains provisions to strengthen the relevant legislative controls.