§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to increase efforts to ensure(a) that the environment is protected from illegal dumping and (b) that existing sites where dumping has occurred are cleared.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn Northern Ireland district councils are responsible for controlling the disposal of waste, including illegal dumping and the clearance of sites. The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is currently reviewing the problem of illegal dumping, in light of provisions introduced in the rest of the United Kingdom by the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals, companies, or organisations have been prosecuted for unlawful dumping in each district council area, in each of the past seven years; and in how many cases prosecutions were successful.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn Northern Ireland, each district council is responsible for enforcing in its area the legislation on the disposal of waste. Records of prosecutions are not held centrally. However, the information which the hon. Gentleman requires will be sought from the various councils and I shall write to him as soon as possible.