§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were prosecuted in England and Wales for illegally burning heather or moorland in the most recent period for which figures are available; what is the maximum fine for such an offence; and when the level of fine was last increased.
§ Mr. Mayhew[pursuant to his reply, 10 July 1981]: The latest records available to me for 1979 show one person proceeded against in England and Wales for burning grass without a licence contrary to section 20 of the Hill Farming Act 1946.
However, because some prosecutions may have been brought other than by the police, this information may be incomplete. The maximum fine, by virtue of section 31 of the Criminal Law Act 1977, which was brought into effect in July 1978, is £25.