Part of Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 2:30 pm on 25 January 2005.
Elliot Morley
Minister of State (Environment and Agri-Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
2:30,
25 January 2005
The issue is the level of the fine, and it arises from a narrow aspect of the Bill dealing with documentation. A balance needs to be struck, and £300 is a considerable fine for failing to produce documents. If the fine were higher, then it is likely that people would opt to go to court, and the advantages of the fixed penalty notice—the speed and the lower administration cost—would be lost. The hon. Gentleman asked whether the amount would be reviewed. It will, like all these measures, be reviewed in due course to ensure that it is fixed at the appropriate level.
Question put, That the Amendment be made:—
The Committee divided: Ayes 3, Noes 9.
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