HC Deb 26 June 2003 vol 407 cc955-6W
Andrew Selous

To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on her policy on prosecuting offences relating to fly tipping. [121691]

East Lincolnshire social services departments in the last five years; and what the per capita funding for unitary authorities in the south-east was in each of the last five years. [121718]

Mr. Raynsford

The table shows the Personal Social Services Standard Spending Assessments/Formula Spending Share per head for each of the last five years for North East Lincolnshire and each of the unitary authorities in the south east, together with the average for unitary authorities in the south east.

The Solicitor-General

The Environment Agencies and local authorities are responsible for these prosecutions. There is no specific offence of fly tipping and offences are usually prosecuted as illegal disposal of waste contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

There are challenges in prosecuting offences of fly tipping as, for example, it can be difficult to obtain the evidence necessary to prosecute. However, the government positively encourages prosecuting agencies to take strong enforcement action and prosecute offenders because fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime.