§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 88W, on fly-tipping, what has been the outcome of her consideration of possible changes to legislation; and if she will make a statement. [122776]
§ Mr. MorleyProposals to help local authorities and the Environment Agency tackle the problem of fly tipping have been included in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, currently before Parliament.
The Bill includes measures that if successful will mean that local authorities will have powers to stop, search and seize vehicles suspected of being used for fly tipping. They will be able to investigate incidents to help them track down and prosecute those responsible for dumping the waste. The Bill will also create statutory directions that will formalise the current fly tipping protocol which has been agreed between the Local Government Association and the Environment Agency.
The Government are also considering a wide range of other measures, details of which will be published later in 2003 and brought forward at the next legislative opportunity.