§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires spread from agricultural stubble burning in each of the last three years; and how much damage was caused by burning stubble in each year.
§ Mr. MayhewThe only information which can be made available without disproportionate cost is the number of fires in 1979 originating in grassland, gorse, stubble and so on, which spread beyond the original location, or involved casualties, rescues or escapes, or were attended by five or more fire appliances. 236 such fires were attended by United Kingdom fire brigades in 1979. Information is not collected centrally on the value of damage caused.