HL Deb 28 November 2000 vol 619 cc129-31WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many prosecutions and how many convictions there have so far been for offences under the Environmental Protection (Restriction on the Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2170). [HL4763]

Lord Whitty

The Home Office Court Proceedings Database does not identify such offences separately from other summary offences. However, the Association of Chief Police Officers' Wildlife and Environmental Crime Adviser surveyed a number of police forces following the first season's operation of the Environmental Protection (Restriction on the Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999. The responses suggest that a very small number of potential infringements were reported to the police, that all were dealt with by advice and no court proceedings were undertaken.

Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will review the enforcement and administration of, and the need for, the Environmental Protection (Restriction on the Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 ("SI 1999/ 2170); and whether they will consider the repeal or modification of these regulations. [HL4764]

Lord Whitty

The Government are already reviewing these regulations on the basis of the first season's experience and convened earlier this year the Lead Shot Legislation (England) Review Group which will specifically review Schedule 1 to the regulations, the list of sites, as well as considering other issues relating to the effectiveness of the legislation. Representatives from shooting, farming, land-owning and conservation organisations and gun and ammunition industry interests are included in the group. The review group is expected to report early next year.

Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they regard it as satisfactory that the restrictions on the use of lead shot introduced under the Environmental Protection (Restriction on the Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2170) do not apply throughout the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether they intend to make representations to the devolved legislatures as to the need to introduce similar regulations. [HL4765]

Lord Whitty

The decision on whether to implement similar legislation in Wales and Scotland is a matter for the devolved administrations.

It is inherent in the principle of devolution that there will not necessarily be consistency of regulation throughout the United Kingdom and that measures will not necessarily be implemented on a consistent timetable. However, the Environment Minister for Wales, Sue Essex, announced on 9 November that regulations would be introduced for the next shooting season in September 2001 to restrict the use of lead shot over wetlands.

All the devolved administrations are responsible for various matters concerning environmental protection, though in many cases the framework provided by Community law or by other international organisations will provide a consistency of effect and of timing between the regulations.

As regards the Environmental Protection (Restriction on the Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/2170), the decision on whether to implement similar legislation in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved authorities. The devolved administrations are currently considering the issue of lead shot over wetlands.