§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the steps the Government will take to improve detection and prosecution rates in conjunction with the planned sentencing review for fly tipping. [125126]
§ Mr. MorleyI have been asked to reply.
The environmental sentencing review is looking at sentencing from a broad perspective and is principally concerned with the sentence given to a particular offence, rather than preventative measures taken against it. We expect the results by the end of June.
276WSpecific measures to help tackle fly tipping have been proposed in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill. If successful, the provisions will allow local authorities to stop, search and seize vehicles suspected of being used for fly tipping, and to investigate incidents to help them track and prosecute those responsible for dumping waste. The Bill will also give the Secretary of State the power to issue statutory directions to the Environment Agency and local authorities on the types of fly tipping incidents with which they deal.
Further research into fly tipping will be carried out later this year that will focus on better enforcement, prevention and deterrents.
§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government will earmark revenue from increases to fines for fly tipping for local authorities to spend on detection of fly tipping offences and prevention measures. [125127]
§ Mr. MorleyI have been asked to reply.
The issue of income from fines and whether this can be recycled to enforcement bodies to fund preventative action is a matter for Her Majesty's Treasury.
Defra is however considering whether there is scope for using fixed penalty notice to help enforce duty of care legislation in particular.