HC Deb 06 March 1990 vol 168 c557W
Mr. Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the definition of litter as adopted by his Department in regard to legislation covering waste and pollution.

Mr. Trippier

[holding answer 2 March 1990]: We have not sought to define litter in the Environmental Protection Bill. Clause 71 of the Bill defines the offence of littering in terms of throwing down, dropping or otherwise depositing, and leaving any thing whatsoever in such circumstances as to cause, or contribute to, or tend to lead to, the defacement by litter of any place.

It is for the courts to decide, in all cases brought before them, whether the item complained of constitutes litter.

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