§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what rules are used to ensure that companies take responsibility for pollution under the integrated pollution control system and the integrated pollution prevention and control system; and if she will make a statement. [3995]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 13 July 2001]: In Great Britain, both the integrated pollution control and integrated pollution prevention and control regimes require operators to be issued with permits before they can undertake polluting activities. They give the regulator discretion to issue enforcement notices requiring compliance and provide for criminal prosecution in a range of circumstances.