Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 9 December 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 December 1997. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Friday, 19 December 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many offences against section 85(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991 were identified by the Environment Agency for each month of 1996 and 1997 to date; and for the same period how many prosecutions were brought; how many have been successful; how many are outstanding; and what penalties have been applied. - (Holding answer 15 December 1997).

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many offences against section 85(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991 were identified by the Environment Agency for each month of 1996 and 1997 to date; and for the same period how many prosecutions were brought; how many have been successful; and how many are outstanding; and what penalties have been applied. [20647] Angela Eagle: [holding answer 15 December 1997]: This information is not available in the form requested. Of the 20,158 substantial pollution incidents recorded for 1996, which in over 90 per cent. of cases were minor and resulted only in localised environmental impacts, the Environment Agency brought 121 prosecutions under section 85(1). Of these, 117 were successful. One custodial sentence was imposed. The maximum fine was £15,000. A further 111 prosecutions relating to incidents in 1996 have been brought to date in 1997. Of these, 108 were successful. The maximum fine imposed was £15,000. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman about the number of outstanding prosecutions which have been brought by the Agency for offences in 1996 and 1997 under section 85(1). As regards 1997, data for the number of pollution incidents is not yet available. However, 36 prosecutions have been brought to date for incidents which occurred this year. All were successful. The maximum fine imposed was £7,000.

Secondary information