§ 2.32 p.m.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to ensure the proper control of stubble burning in view of the damage in evidence all over England as a result at the burning of stubble after the recent harvest.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)My Lords, the Home Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are co-operating with the National Farmers' Union in an attempt to formulate a code of practice for farmers burning straw stubble. The Fire Protection Association, the Country Landowners' Association, the National Union of Agricultural Workers and the National Farmers' Union Mutual Insurance Society have also accepted an invitation to attend the discussions. The Government of course share the concern felt by responsible people in the industry about the number of straw stubble fires that got out of control during the exceptionally dry weather after this year's harvest. In normal years intentional stubble burning 323 is a relatively minor cause of fire in other property: for example, in 1962, the latest year for which figures are available, only about one-fifth of 1 per cent. of all the fires to which brigades were called were concerned with stubble burning, compared with about 17 per cent. due to children playing with matches, Statutory control of intentional stubble burning, which is the only kind of stubble burning that could be made the subject of control, could touch only the fringe of the problem of fires in the countryside. However, Her Majesty's Government welcome the initiative taken by the National Farmers' Union to control these fires by voluntary means.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his full Answer. In view of the fact that in this practice there is no advantage, or quite small advantage, from the point of view of good husbandry, and there are obvious disadvantages from the point of view of the amenities of the countryside, apart from danger to life and property, may I ask, if the voluntary control is not satisfactory, whether the Government will take into consideration the possibility of legislating on the matter to prevent what might become an abuse?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, at this stage I think it would be wrong to give an undertaking of that sort, but, obviously and clearly, we shall carefully consider what will emerge as a result of the discussions. We recognise the difficulties caused, and the blackening of the countryside which spoils the appearance of it for at least a short period.
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy Lords, in looking at this matter will the Minister also consider the effect of stubble burning on wild life? I think it is a matter of considerable concern to some people.
§ LORD CHAMPIONYes. This is a matter, too, which is under consideration, and will be considered during the discussions. We recognise that some wild life has been destroyed during this period, but not quite so much as some of the papers would lead us to think.