Written question asked by Martin Horwood (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 8 July 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 2009. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Pollution: Fines

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been levied in fines by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) against (a) companies, (b) local authorities and (c) individuals for offences committed in relation to pollution of each type (i) in total and (ii) in each region in each year since 1997; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of fines levied by the HSE on polluters in preventing further incidences of pollution on the part of (A) those upon whom fines have been imposed and (B) others.

Answer: [holding answer 13 July 2009]: I have been asked to reply.This matter falls within the remit of the Environment Agency; the Health and Safety Executive does not levy pollution-related fines.The relevant Environment Agency national enforcement database reports have been placed in the Library of the House. The national enforcement database came online in April 1999. Data are therefore not available for 1997, 1998 and the first three months of 1999.The national enforcement database has categories for individuals and companies, but local authorities are classified with "other legal entities". The reports provided here titled "other" therefore include local authorities along with other non-commercial corporate entities.The Environment Agency will prosecute a serious pollution offence only when prosecution is considered to be in the public interest. The level of fine imposed is a matter for the sentencing court. All aggravating and mitigating factors and the defendant's ability to pay will be taken into account.Prosecution is only one of a number of interventions that the Environment Agency employs and other enforcement tools will also have some effect. The Environment Agency publishes an annual Spotlight report which provides details of the performance of regulated industry sectors and the relevant enforcement action taken. The 2008 report can be viewed at:"http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0708BOFX-E-E.pdf?lang=_e"

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 496 c291-2W; 286466
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2009-1996
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Fines Pollution
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk