§ Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many litter abatement orders have been obtained and how many litter abatement notices have been served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in the three months since 1 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThis information not held centrally by my Department.
The number of orders made or notices served is not necessarily an indicator of the success, or failure, of the legislation. They are designed primarily as deterrent measures. We would expect aggrieved citizens to exercise their powers to seek litter abatement orders only as a last resort. In most cases, we envisage that the litter or refuse which is the subject of the complaint would be removed without the need for action in the courts. Similarly, we expect local authorities to use their powers to serve litter abatement notices only where persuasion to clear the litter or refuse in question has failed.