§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of straw is(a) burnt, (b) buried and (c) used to supply materials required for paper making and hardboard on average in each year.
225W
§ Mr. RyderMy Department's annual sample straw survey indicates the following breakdown for England and Wales:
Percentage of hectarage 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Burned in field percentage 37.7 36.7 27.7 27.1 27.2 23.8 Incorporated or cultivated percentage 1.8 7.1 10.4 12.4 17.6 17.6 Baled and removed percentage 60.5 56.2 61.9 60.5 55.2 58.6 Total area ('000 hectares) 3,367.8 3,431.9 3,414.6 3,416.9 3,336.5 3,305.4 No significant quantities of straw are currently used for paper making, but an estimated 1 per cent. of the total has been used for hardboard manufacture in recent years.