§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to monitor the incidence of illegal fly tipping of waste following the introduction of the landfill tax; and if he will make a statement. [3779]
§ Ms Angela EagleResponsibility for monitoring illegal fly tipping, clearance of the wastes involved and pursuing offenders, lies with a number of organisations. The Environment Agency is actively working with these organisations to gather reliable information on fly tipping and other forms of illegal waste disposal.
Most notably a co-operative exercise is planned between the Environment Agency, Local Government and the Tidy Britain Group to survey the incidence of fly tipping twelve months on from the introduction of the landfill tax. A report summarising the finding is due to be published in the first half of 1998.
Further co-operative surveys are planned with the emphasis on improving the quality of data collected by using standard definitions of waste types and quantities.
The evidence of increased fly tipping gathered to date is not conclusive, and may reflect increased public awareness and concern over fly tipping rather than a demonstrable increase in incidents. Nevertheless the Environment Agency are treating this matter very seriously and are working with local authorities to co-ordinate any necessary enforcement action.