HC Deb 12 March 1997 vol 292 c242W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning illegal industrial practices which damage the environment. [19504]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The Environment Agency and local authorities have a range of functions related to the regulation, management and monitoring of the environment and the processes which affect it.

These functions are designed to ensure that acceptable standards of pollution prevention and control are maintained. The agency and local authorities have enforcement powers, including the power to prosecute and to issue a prohibition or revocation notice to close down a process.