Written question asked by Michael Meacher (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 1996. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 November 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: How many unauthorised releases from chemical plants have taken place each year since 1970; how many were classified as serious; how many led to prosecutions; and what was the fine or penalty in each case. - Including figures and ref to HM Inspectorate of Pollution annual reports (in Library).

Answer: Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many unauthorised releases from chemical plants have taken place each year since 1970; how many were classified as serious; how many led to prosecutions; and what was the fine or penalty in each case. [1009] Mr. Clappison: Chemical processes have been subject to prior authorisation under the integrated pollution control regime since 1990. So far as air is concerned, details of unauthorised releases, prosecutions and other enforcement action taken between April 1991 and March 1996 are contained in the annual reports of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, which was the IPC regulator between those dates. The annual reports are in the House Library. HM inspectorate of pollution became a part of the Environment Agency on 1 April this year. I understand from the agency that since that date there have been 550 unauthorised releases to air from chemical processes. Few of these had serious implications. I further understand that the agency has to date carried out one prosecution in respect of those releases and that a further one is in hand. Prosecution is only one of a number of enforcement options available to the Environment Agency, which can also issue enforcement or prohibition notices.

Secondary information