§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what policies he promotes to prevent the practice of fly-tipping; and if he will make a statement. [78585]
§ Mr. MealeStringent controls and severe penalties are in place to discourage the fly-tipping of waste and, where it occurs, to enable the perpetrators to be traced and prosecuted. The main controls and the maximum penalties were set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 8 December 1998,Official Report, columns 120–21.
My Department has prepared a Circular explaining these controls and penalties which was issued to magistrates by the Lord Chancellor's Department on 6 February 1998. We wish to encourage the Courts to make full use of the available penalties.
462WWe have made it clear that we expect the Environment Agency to be fair but rigorous in its enforcement of environmental controls; and we support the action being taken by the Agency on fly-tipping. This includes the provision of a free 24 hour hotline for members of the public to report incidents (Tel: 0800 807060).
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he had made of the effect which the introduction of Landfill Tax has made on the practice of fly-tipping. [78586]
§ Mr. MealeThe Tidy Britain Group has carried out three studies into fly-tipping. The study comprised three surveys and one of its main aims was to establish the types, quantities and locations of fly-tipped waste. The third survey was carried out in partnership with the Environment Agency and was published last month. It suggests a modest increase in fly-tipping over the period from 1994–95 but less than was originally feared by local authorities following the introduction of the landfill tax.