Clause 32 - Enforcement notices, and related procedures and offences
Water Bill [Lords]
4:45 pm
Mr Norman Baker (Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
I beg to move amendment No. 207, in
clause 32, page 37, line 30, leave out '£20,000' and insert '£50,000'.
It is a serious matter if significant or even serious damage has been caused because people have failed to adhere to enforcement notices. It could sometimes lead
to long-standing or even permanent environmental damage. Under those circumstances, it is appropriate that people who know the rules but have not complied should face serious penalties—especially water companies or big firms. To some of them, although not all, £20,000 would be a drop in the ocean. I am sure that the circumstances of small independent abstractors could be taken into account, but £20,000 is not a large sum to the big companies. Indeed, a higher sum would be more appropriate.