§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by county the number of successful prosecutions for breaches of straw and stubble burning law for the current year, and the penalties imposed.
Mr. Patten[holding answer 27 October 1989]: I have been asked to reply.
675WInformation held centrally for 1988 is given in the table. Of the 33 offenders found guilty one (in Hertfordshire) was given an absolute discharge and the remainder were fined. Data for 1989 are not yet available.
Offenders found guilty under section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972—Byelaws relating to the burning of straw or stubble Police force area Total found guilty Average amount fined (£000) Avon and Somerset 3 45 Bedfordshire 1 200 Cambridgeshire 5 210 Cleveland 3 50 Gloucestershire 1 200 Hertfordshire 4 100 Lincolnshire 9 110 Northamptonshire 1 100 North Yorkshire 2 50 Warwickshire 1 100 Wiltshire 3 190 England and Wales 33 125