§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions illegal burning of moorland was recorded in each of the past 10 years in England.
§ Mrs. FennerI regret that the information requested is not available. I understand, however, from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that records which are available to him but which may be incomplete show that the following number of defendents were proceeded against in magistrates' courts for burning heather or grass without a licence, which is contrary to regulations made under section 20 of the Hill Farming Act 1946.
186W
England: No. of Defendants Year No. proceeded against No. found guilty 1972 5 5 1973 1 1 1974 1 1 1975 — — 1976 6 6 1977 1 1 1978 1 1 1979 — — 1980 1 1 1981 — — Information for 1982 is not yet available.