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To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent the spread, and ensure large-scale control, of bracken to protect the biodiversity of (1) sites of special scientific interest, and (2) other vulnerable areas.
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent the spread, and ensure large-scale control, of bracken to protect the biodiversity of (1) sites of special scientific interest, and (2) other vulnerable areas.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Baroness Hayman of Ullock
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 November 2024
For answer on
18 November 2024
Answered on
12 November 2024
Bracken is a native species, a natural component of many habitats, and supports several scarce and declining animal species. It is not regarded as a key threat to most habitats and species, but in some localities expansion of dense bracken is a threat to lowland heath, grasslands, habitats with scattered trees, scrub woodland and wood pasture. In such places management may be needed to limit the extent of dense bracken.
Countryside Stewardship supports the control of bracken in two principal ways: through a capital grant for chemical control of bracken; and as a supplement for removal, which can be applied for alongside suitable land management options. Controlling the presence or spread of bracken can maintain or restore biodiversity value, including of SSSIs, and help protect archaeological sites.
Subjects
Weed control; Bracken
Date
12 November 2024
Reference
HL2276
House
House of Lords
My Lords, does the Minister not agree with me that the Government could do more to discourage the imports of food coming into this country, such as meat, which is produced at standards way below those imposed on our own farmers? Also, the current abuse by which food coming into the country is processed over here and labelled as being British should cease. Both those items would help considerably in boosting the hard-pressed rural economy.
My Lords, does the Minister not agree with me that the Government could do more to discourage the imports of food coming into this country, such as meat, which is produced at standards way below those imposed on our own farmers? Also, the current abuse by which food coming into the country is processed over here and labelled as being British should cease. Both those items would help considerably in boosting the hard-pressed rural economy.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
23 May 2006
My Lords, I take what the noble Earl says. Some third countries—that is, non-EU countries—have lower welfare standards than apply in the European Union. World Trade Organisation rules do not allow us to restrict trade in products solely on the basis of the method of production, but 90 per cent of our imports of bacon, ham and pork come from EU countries where, by and large, the same standards apply. In fact, as a result of market forces, there is evidence that supermarkets that source abroad now insist that animals are reared to the same high standards as in the United Kingdom.
Subjects
Food; Imports
Date
23 May 2006
Reference
682 c689-90
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, can the Minister give the House an estimate of the number of eligible claimants who are not claiming at the moment, probably because of the over-complication of the system?
My Lords, can the Minister give the House an estimate of the number of eligible claimants who are not claiming at the moment, probably because of the over-complication of the system?
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
17 May 2006
My Lords, I have here a long list in relation to the various benefits. For income support, the take-up is between 90 and 97 per cent; for the minimum income guarantee, it is between 73 to 75 per cent; and for pension credit, it is between 68 to 76 per cent These are all by expenditure. I can let the noble Earl have a full list. Clearly the issue of take-up is very important. There are many reasons why benefits are not all taken up. It is partly because for individual claimants the amount from some benefits would be very small indeed. I accept that complexity is one of the reasons. The department has a lot of programmes in place—advertising, the issuing of leaflets and the use CABx and other avenues—to encourage people to make claims. I certainly accept that making the benefits system easier to use and understand is one of the ways in which we need to go forward.
Subjects
Social security benefits; Reform
Date
17 May 2006
Reference
682 c267
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What is their response to the recent decision by the Ministry of Defence to resume unrestricted low-flying operations with Apache helicopters over moorland areas designated either as special protection areas or sites of special scientific interest, bearing in mind that English Nature does not agree with the findings of the...
What is their response to the recent decision by the Ministry of Defence to resume unrestricted low-flying operations with Apache helicopters over moorland areas designated either as special protection areas or sites of special scientific interest, bearing in mind that English Nature does not agree with the findings of the...
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Rooker
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
17 May 2006
I understand that the Ministry of Defence (MoD), as the competent authority in accordance with its obligations under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, has carried out an appropriate assessment into   the possible effects of operations with Apache helicopters on the North York Moors and North Pennine Moors SPA. The conclusion that the MoD has reached is that these operations will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of these sites. I understand that English Nature does not agree to the conclusion of this appropriate assessment primarily because it considers that it fails to address whether or not disturbance by Apache helicopters is detrimental to populations of SPA qualifying bird species within the two sites.
I understand that the MoD is establishing monitoring to further increase scientific understanding of potential impacts, which will be used to inform future decisions for Apache training and ensure that the integrity of the Natura 2000 network is maintained.
There are ongoing discussions between my officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, MoD and English Nature, and I have asked to be kept informed of progress.
Subjects
Environment protection; Helicopters; Nature conservation; Military aircraft; Low flying; Sites of special scientific interest; Special protection areas; Moorland
Date
17 May 2006
Reference
5562; 682 c33-5WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, most of us applaud the sentiments expressed by my noble friend Lord MacLaurin, but does the noble Baroness agree that such objectives should apply to all food, not just to organic food? To that effect, what are the Government doing to reduce the impact on our producers of cheap imported food that does not comply with the same statutory environmental and animal health standards as are imposed on our producers?
My Lords, most of us applaud the sentiments expressed by my noble friend Lord MacLaurin, but does the noble Baroness agree that such objectives should apply to all food, not just to organic food? To that effect, what are the Government doing to reduce the impact on our producers of cheap imported food that does not comply with the same statutory environmental and animal health standards as are imposed on our producers?
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 May 2006
My Lords, we work closely with other governments in the European Union to ensure that European Union standards apply. In the context of my earlier reply on developing countries and their produce, we will seek to ensure that our retailers are not disadvantaged because of differential standards.
I understand that bringing indigenous organic food production up to 70 per cent will match the figure for non-organic indigenous food production. We at all times seek to work—for example, through government procurement—to ensure that the time taken to get food from the supplier to the plate is as short as possible. We work very closely with suppliers through a variety of means, including supporting farmers' markets, to ensure that where possible—for example, in school meals—food is procured locally.
Subjects
Organic food; Self-sufficiency
Date
8 May 2006
Reference
681 c687-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, surely the answer is to display the level of salt on the package. Does the Minister agree that it will then be up to the consumer to decide whether he or she wants to eat that product? To have the Food Standards Agency, the Government or anybody else telling the consumer what to eat is beyond the pale.
My Lords, surely the answer is to display the level of salt on the package. Does the Minister agree that it will then be up to the consumer to decide whether he or she wants to eat that product? To have the Food Standards Agency, the Government or anybody else telling the consumer what to eat is beyond the pale.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 March 2006
My Lords, neither the Food Standards Agency nor the Government is telling people what to eat. We have a public responsibility to try to ensure that food production processes minimise the use of salt where appropriate. The examples that IÂ gave earlier show that many responsible producers are taking notice of that public health consideration. There is a range of ways to help the public in this area. One is raising public awareness and another is labelling. Yet another is what the FSA is doing: working with food producers, which is a sensible way forward in trying to reduce salt levels.
Subjects
Food Standards Agency; Salt; Cheese
Date
2 March 2006
Reference
679 c345
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Whether Annex IV of the Habitats Directive is to include the red squirrel; and, if not, for what reasons.
Whether Annex IV of the Habitats Directive is to include the red squirrel; and, if not, for what reasons.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
7 February 2006
Currently there are no proposals within Europe for adding the red squirrel to Annex IV of the Habitats Directive, as the rest of Europe has stable populations that are not yet threatened by the spread of grey squirrels.However, the red squirrel is listed on Appendix III of the Bern convention and is protected within the UK by virtue of being listed on Schedules 5 and 6 to the WCA and Schedules 5 and 6 to the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.A species action plan for the red squirrel was one of the first to be published as part of the UK biodiversity action plan (UKBAP) in 1995. The plan recognised the spread of the grey squirrel, habitat fragmentation and disease (squirrel pox virus) as factors causing loss or decline of the red squirrel. The plan sets objectives and targets to maintain and enhance the existing populations and to re-establish populations where appropriate.Defra also launched on 22Â January an action plan to control grey squirrels. The action plan, which has been developed by Defra and the Forestry Commission, focuses on areas where they are damaging woodland and preventing red squirrels becoming established.The Government have been instrumental, along with Ireland and Italy, in raising the profile of red and grey squirrel issues across Europe. This includes the tabling of a recommendation, agreed by the standing committee of the Bern convention in December 2005. This encourages signatories to undertake studies into the impact of greys on red squirrel populations, forestry and other biodiversity, and ensure that governments are attentive to and actively seek to prevent further introductions of non-native squirrel species.
Subjects
EU law; Nature conservation; Squirrels
Date
7 February 2006
Reference
678 c91-2WA; 3525
House
House of Lords
What is the current estimated population of red squirrels in the United Kingdom; and how this number relates to the number under the red squirrels biodiversity action plan.
What is the current estimated population of red squirrels in the United Kingdom; and how this number relates to the number under the red squirrels biodiversity action plan.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 February 2006
There is no reliable estimate of the red squirrel population anywhere in the UK because it is very difficult to carry out an accurate census. Numbers are also subject to significant fluctuation depending on environmental factors and breeding success, but our estimate is 140,000.At present those working on red squirrel conservation in England believe that the population in England may be somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000. A large proportion of these are in Kielder Forest.The species action plan for red squirrel does not include an estimate of the existing population or a target population figure.
Subjects
Squirrels
Date
1 February 2006
Reference
3527; 678 c60WA
House
House of Lords
In which places in the United Kingdom the Forestry Commission is carrying out controls of grey squirrels; and how successful they have been.
In which places in the United Kingdom the Forestry Commission is carrying out controls of grey squirrels; and how successful they have been.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 February 2006
The Forestry Commission undertakes control of grey squirrels on the public forest estate in England according to circumstances, through a risk-based approach. This approach has the aim of conservation of red squirrel populations and other features of high biodiversity and cultural value, and the prevention of damage to property and high-value timber crops. In the past year, areas of control have included the Forest of Dean, Westonbirt Arboretum and the north England red squirrel reserve buffer zones.Control is undertaken using best practice but this does not always lead to a successful outcome because of the influence of such factors as habitat type, weather and initial population levels that can vary from year to year.
Subjects
Forestry Commission; Pest control; Squirrels
Date
1 February 2006
Reference
3523; 678 c59-60WA
House
House of Lords
In which places in the United Kingdom grey squirrel controls have been deemed successful.
In which places in the United Kingdom grey squirrel controls have been deemed successful.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 January 2006
We have limited information on the success of squirrel control on private land as there is no requirement on landowners to report their squirrel control activities. Where control is undertaken using good practice it is most likely to succeed, but this is not always the case.In England, the Forestry Commission recently reviewed its grant-supported grey squirrel control and concluded that the level of support available to individual owners was insufficient to ensure that control met good practice standards and brought in question success in terms of damage control.The recently published Grey Squirrels and England’s Woodlands policy and action statement aims to address this issue by targeting existing resources in areas where they are most needed and at a level that will help to enable good practice to be followed.
Subjects
Pest control; Squirrels
Date
30 January 2006
Reference
3524; 678 c17WA
House
House of Lords
Whether the Berne Convention applies to species present in the United Kingdom before the ratification convention in 1982.
Whether the Berne Convention applies to species present in the United Kingdom before the ratification convention in 1982.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 January 2006
The convention applies to species of wild fauna and flora occurring in the United Kingdom including those present before 1982.
Subjects
Nature conservation; Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
Date
30 January 2006
Reference
3526; 678 c19WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, what assurances will the Minister give that this highly regrettable situation will not impede the payment of the single farm payment next year? Is it a reality that next year’s claims may come in before this year’s claims have been dealt with?
My Lords, what assurances will the Minister give that this highly regrettable situation will not impede the payment of the single farm payment next year? Is it a reality that next year’s claims may come in before this year’s claims have been dealt with?
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
24 January 2006
My Lords, the noble Earl as usual has hit a good point. It is one of the reasons why I am so keen that we should start paying the full payments in February of this year. If we make partial payments, which would certainly be better than nothing, it may have some effect on the 2006 payments, which would be due at the end of the year.
Subjects
Agriculture; Payments; Subsidies; Rural Payments Agency
Date
24 January 2006
Reference
677 c1063-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What is their strategy, and timetable, for identifying technical and scientific policies to enable developing countries to gain access to the carbon market as an incentive for reducing emissions from deforestation.
What is their strategy, and timetable, for identifying technical and scientific policies to enable developing countries to gain access to the carbon market as an incentive for reducing emissions from deforestation.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 December 2005
The Government’s policy is that emissions reductions from reduced deforestation should be part of developing countries’ participation in climate change agreements and our strategy to achieve this is to participate actively in the negotiations and associated technical discussions that can bring it about.Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica, supported by other countries making up the Coalition of Rainforest Nations, proposed to the 11 Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which took place recently in Montreal, that emissions reductions relative to a national baseline could be used as a measure of achievement.The UK believes the proposal is very interesting, especially given the potential for significant co-benefits for communities dependent on forests and for biodiversity, as well as for greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. There are nevertheless significant technical issues to consider, including on how baselines would in practice be defined, and emissions relative to them measured. These questions need to be resolved before this or any other proposal could provide a basis for quantification of emissions saved, and hence valuation in carbon markets. In the Government’s view it is not useful to speculate about the detailed modalities for engagement until these technical issues are better understood; but clearly linkage, if participation were linked to Kyoto Protocol carbon markets, would be after the first commitment period, for which the rules are already set.Having discussed the proposal in Montreal, the parties to the UNFCCC agreed to submit its views on the issues by the end of March 2006. The Conference of Parties requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) under the UNFCCC to start consideration of the issue, at its 24th session which will be in May 2006, following the submissions. There will be a workshop on the issue following the 24th session of the SBSTA and the SBSTA will report on its findings at its 27th session, in December 2007. The UK, as part of the EU, will contribute detailed technical views, initially via the March 2006 submission, and will seek resolution of the issues in the negotiations in a manner that contributes to the objectives of the UNFCCC and helps realise the co-benefits for communities and for biodiversity.
Subjects
Air pollution; Climate change; Carbon dioxide; Developing countries; Pollution control; Rainforests; Climate Change Convention
Date
20 December 2005
Reference
3037; 676 c248-9WA
House
House of Lords
What approach they are taking to the Coalition of Rainforest Nations’ Initiative under the framework convention and the Kyoto Protocol; and
What approach they are taking to the Coalition of Rainforest Nations’ Initiative under the framework convention and the Kyoto Protocol; and
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 December 2005
The Government’s policy is that emissions reductions from reduced deforestation should be part of developing countries’ participation in climate change agreements and our strategy to achieve this is to participate actively in the negotiations and associated technical discussions that can bring it about.Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica, supported by other countries making up the Coalition of Rainforest Nations, proposed to the 11 Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which took place recently in Montreal, that emissions reductions relative to a national baseline could be used as a measure of achievement.The UK believes the proposal is very interesting, especially given the potential for significant co-benefits for communities dependent on forests and for biodiversity, as well as for greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. There are nevertheless significant technical issues to consider, including on how baselines would in practice be defined, and emissions relative to them measured. These questions need to be resolved before this or any other proposal could provide a basis for quantification of emissions saved, and hence valuation in carbon markets. In the Government’s view it is not useful to speculate about the detailed modalities for engagement until these technical issues are better understood; but clearly linkage, if participation were linked to Kyoto Protocol carbon markets, would be after the first commitment period, for which the rules are already set.Having discussed the proposal in Montreal, the parties to the UNFCCC agreed to submit its views on the issues by the end of March 2006. The Conference of Parties requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) under the UNFCCC to start consideration of the issue, at its 24th session which will be in May 2006, following the submissions. There will be a workshop on the issue following the 24th session of the SBSTA and the SBSTA will report on its findings at its 27th session, in December 2007. The UK, as part of the EU, will contribute detailed technical views, initially via the March 2006 submission, and will seek resolution of the issues in the negotiations in a manner that contributes to the objectives of the UNFCCC and helps realise the co-benefits for communities and for biodiversity.
Subjects
Air pollution; Climate change; Pollution control; Rainforests; Tree felling; Climate Change Convention
Date
20 December 2005
Reference
3035; 676 c248-9WA
House
House of Lords
What approach they have taken to including compensation for avoided deforestation as a tool to promote sustainable development, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and encourage bio-diversity; and what they are doing to promote and support such mechanisms; and
What approach they have taken to including compensation for avoided deforestation as a tool to promote sustainable development, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and encourage bio-diversity; and what they are doing to promote and support such mechanisms; and
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 December 2005
The Government’s policy is that emissions reductions from reduced deforestation should be part of developing countries’ participation in climate change agreements and our strategy to achieve this is to participate actively in the negotiations and associated technical discussions that can bring it about.Papua New Guinea and Costa Rica, supported by other countries making up the Coalition of Rainforest Nations, proposed to the 11 Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which took place recently in Montreal, that emissions reductions relative to a national baseline could be used as a measure of achievement.The UK believes the proposal is very interesting, especially given the potential for significant co-benefits for communities dependent on forests and for biodiversity, as well as for greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. There are nevertheless significant technical issues to consider, including on how baselines would in practice be defined, and emissions relative to them measured. These questions need to be resolved before this or any other proposal could provide a basis for quantification of emissions saved, and hence valuation in carbon markets. In the Government’s view it is not useful to speculate about the detailed modalities for engagement until these technical issues are better understood; but clearly linkage, if participation were linked to Kyoto Protocol carbon markets, would be after the first commitment period, for which the rules are already set.Having discussed the proposal in Montreal, the parties to the UNFCCC agreed to submit its views on the issues by the end of March 2006. The Conference of Parties requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) under the UNFCCC to start consideration of the issue, at its 24th session which will be in May 2006, following the submissions. There will be a workshop on the issue following the 24th session of the SBSTA and the SBSTA will report on its findings at its 27th session, in December 2007. The UK, as part of the EU, will contribute detailed technical views, initially via the March 2006 submission, and will seek resolution of the issues in the negotiations in a manner that contributes to the objectives of the UNFCCC and helps realise the co-benefits for communities and for biodiversity.
Subjects
Compensation; Air pollution; Climate change; Carbon dioxide; Biodiversity; Developing countries; Development aid; Pollution control; Rainforests; Sustainable development
Date
20 December 2005
Reference
3036; 676 c248-9WA
House
House of Lords
Whether any research is currently being undertaken into the control of invasive alien species, and in particular grey squirrels, through the process of immuno-contraception; and, if so, how much funding is currently committed to the project.
Whether any research is currently being undertaken into the control of invasive alien species, and in particular grey squirrels, through the process of immuno-contraception; and, if so, how much funding is currently committed to the project.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 December 2005
Defra funding on immuno-contraceptive vaccines for squirrels is part of a much wider fertility control project, which includes planned work on wild boar and a non-immuno-contraceptive fertility control agent for rose-ringed parakeets. The total project cost is ÂŁ1,012k, with about ÂŁ830k of that being for immuno-contraceptive work. The project runs from 1Â April 2005 to 31Â March 2008.For the squirrel component, scientists from the Central Science Laboratory and the Forestry Commission will be carrying out research work which is due to start in January 2006. The main squirrel research will cost about ÂŁ50k. However, there is other work in the wider project, for example, the development of techniques for administering immuno-contraceptive vaccines orally, which will also be relevant. This work is needed as injection is unlikely to be a practical proposition for most species. If everything goes well with the whole project, we will still be looking at several years before practical and usable fertility control methods are available in the UK.
Subjects
Finance; Pest control; Research; Squirrels
Date
13 December 2005
Reference
2742; 676 c149-50WA
House
House of Lords
Whether they are commissioning or sponsoring any research into the impact of grey squirrels on woodland bird populations; and, if not, whether they are aware of any other research.
Whether they are commissioning or sponsoring any research into the impact of grey squirrels on woodland bird populations; and, if not, whether they are aware of any other research.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Bach
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 December 2005
Established in 2001, the UK Woodland Bird Group is led by Forestry Commission England and is made up of representatives of more than 15 government and non-governmental organisations, including Defra, the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the country conservation agencies. One of its functions is to prioritise work needed to determine the primary factors responsible for declines in woodland bird populations, and encourage further research, policy and management actions aimed at reversing the declines.The UK Woodland Bird Group has identified grey squirrel impact on nesting birds as one of several possible factors that could be contributing to the decline in populations of woodland birds. A proposal has been drafted for collaborative research on the effects of grey squirrel predation, but before embarking on experimental research, the group is carrying out work on obtaining actual evidence of nest predation by grey squirrels.
Subjects
Birds; Research; Squirrels
Date
13 December 2005
Reference
2743; 676 c150WA
House
House of Lords
What guidance they have issued to magistrates regarding the prosecution and sentencing of motorcyclists for (a) inappropriate or excessive speeding; (b) the use of illegal number plates; and (c)Â the fitting of illegal noisy exhaust systems.
What guidance they have issued to magistrates regarding the prosecution and sentencing of motorcyclists for (a) inappropriate or excessive speeding; (b) the use of illegal number plates; and (c)Â the fitting of illegal noisy exhaust systems.
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Ashton of Upholland
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
7 November 2005
Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board, an independent body chaired by Lord Justice Keene.Magistrates receive advice and training on both the general approach to sentencing and to sentencing for specific offences. The major source for guidance on motoring offences is the Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Guidelines drawn up by a number of magistrates and others for the benefit of the magistracy as a whole, and effective from 1 January 2004. These guidelines are included in the Adult Court Bench Book and used nationally. The Adult Court Bench Book is accessible to everyone through the public JSB website. The guidelines provide a structure for determining an appropriate penalty within the limits set by Parliament. They require the magistrate to take into account the seriousness of the offence, the defendant’s personal circumstances and, if a fine is appropriate, the defendant’s means.For speeding offences, the guidelines propose that a number of miles per hour over the speed limit should be the primary (but not the only) factor in determining seriousness, and suggests different fine levels, penalty points and/or disqualification depending on the speed and other seriousness factors.There are no specific guidelines for the offences of ““illegal number plates”” or ““illegal noisy exhaust systems”” . They are within a general category of vehicle defect offences, and the guidelines suggest, as a starting point, a fine. Magistrates will use their usual process for determining the seriousness of the offence to fix the amount of that fine.
Notes
Written Answer should have been published on 21 July 2005.
Subjects
Pollution; Prosecutions; Motorcycles; Noise; Magistrates; Sentencing; Training; Speed limits; Road traffic offences; Vehicle number plates
Date
7 November 2005
Reference
1281; 675 c51WA
House
House of Lords
How many and what proportion of offences committed by motorcyclists for (a) inappropriate or excessive speeding; (b) the use of illegal number plates; and (c) the fitting of illegal noisy exhaust systems were dealt with by (i) a fixed penalty notice; (ii) a magistrates’ court; (iii) a Crown Court; or...
How many and what proportion of offences committed by motorcyclists for (a) inappropriate or excessive speeding; (b) the use of illegal number plates; and (c) the fitting of illegal noisy exhaust systems were dealt with by (i) a fixed penalty notice; (ii) a magistrates’ court; (iii) a Crown Court; or...
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Scotland of Asthal
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 October 2005
This information is not held centrally.
Subjects
Crown Court; Fixed penalties; Pollution; Prosecutions; Motorcycles; Magistrates' courts; Noise; Speed limits; Road traffic offences; Vehicle number plates
Date
10 October 2005
Reference
1284; 674 c49WA
House
House of Lords
How many fixed penalty notices were issued in England and Wales in each of the past five years to motorcyclists for (a) inappropriate or excessive speeding; (b) the use of illegal number plates; and (c) the fitting of illegal noisy exhaust systems; and
How many fixed penalty notices were issued in England and Wales in each of the past five years to motorcyclists for (a) inappropriate or excessive speeding; (b) the use of illegal number plates; and (c) the fitting of illegal noisy exhaust systems; and
Asked by
Earl Peel
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Scotland of Asthal
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 October 2005
This information is not held centrally.
Subjects
Fixed penalties; Pollution; Motorcycles; Noise; Speed limits; Road traffic offences; Vehicle number plates
Date
10 October 2005
Reference
1283; 674 c49WA
House
House of Lords