§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of companies who are required to register under the Packaging Regulations and who had not done so by 30 June. [133045]
§ Mr. MeacherThe number of businesses which are required to register under the Packaging Regulations, and had failed to do so by 30 June 2000, has been estimated by the Environment Agency at between 400 and 650. Work currently being undertaken by the Environment Agency should help to refine that figure later in the year. The majority of those businesses are likely to be smaller ones with an average packaging tonnage of between 100–150 tonnes per annum.
§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the(a) maximum and (b) minimum fine imposed on firms for infringing the Packaging Regulations. [133048]
§ Mr. Meacher(a) The maximum fine was £10,000 plus costs and (b) the minimum was zero (unconditional discharge).
§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many firms had been successfully prosecuted for infringing the Packaging Regulations by 30 June. [133046]
§ Mr. MeacherSixteen firms have been successfully prosecuted under the Packaging Regulations.
§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the average fine imposed on firms prosecuted for infringing the Packaging Regulations. [133047]
§ Mr. MeacherThe average fine under the Packaging Regulations is £1,500 plus costs.