§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of how many tonnes of straw have been disposed of by burning in England and Wales during each of the last five years; what area of stubble this represents; and if he intends to take any initiative to promote constructive use of straw as a raw material in any industry.
§ Mrs. FennerDetailed records of the tonnage of straw which has been burnt and the areas concerned are not available. Estimates, which are based on surveys carried out in 1976 and 1977, have been made and they indicate that the average tonnage burnt and the area which this represents is about 3.90 million tonnes and 1.10 million hectares respectively per annum.
My Department has taken an active role in investigating alternative uses for straw, both on and off the farm, and it is currently placing considerable emphasis on improved methods of incorporating straw into the soil without 143W reducing crop yield. Other investigations, which could be of practical use to industry, have been carried out. I have no authority to promote the use of straw for industry.