Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 8 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 November 2005. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 28 November 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Nuclear Inspectorate

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of fines levied by the Nuclear Inspectorate on polluters in preventing (a) further incidences of pollution by the polluters and (b) incidences of pollution from others who have not previously polluted; what changes are planned; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Incidents at nuclear sites giving rise to environmental pollution are generally investigated by the Environment Agency (England and Wales) or SEPA (Scotland), though joint investigations with the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate are carried out if the circumstances demand it. Prosecution cases relating to environmental pollution incidents are usually taken by the appropriate environment agency.In cases of environmental pollution there are no statutory limits on the level of fines that a Crown court can impose. However, fines are only one of the adverse impacts of prosecution that serve as deterrents to potential offenders. The Environment Agency publicises cases where companies have received heavy fines in its annual ““Spotlight on Business Performance”” publication to ensure the message is received by others.The Environmental Audit Committee considered the issue of fines and sentencing practice in 2004 and recommended that fines should be raised for environmental crimes. (House of Commons, Environmental Audit Committee: Environmental Crime and the Courts. Sixth Report of Session 2003–04). The Environment Agency has indicated that it is in broad agreement with this recommendation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 440 c105-6W;440 c105-6W; 27793
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Air pollution Environment Fines Industry Pollution Prosecutions Nuclear power Nuclear power stations Odour pollution
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk