§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultations he has had with the Health and Safety Executive, local authorities and the emergency services in respect of introducing legislation governing the height, size and distance from living premises for the storing and stacking of straw and stubble after the straw and stubble burning legislation comes into effect in 1992; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what legislation is to be enacted by 1992 governing the height, size and distance from the living premises for straw and haystacks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe regulations which my right hon. Friend the Minister proposes to introduce following the enactment of the Environmental Protection Bill will prohibit the burning of crop residues, subject to limited634W exemptions, and will specify the conditions under which any exempted burning may be carried out. We will be consulting widely on the proposed regulations.
The safety aspects of stacking and storing of straw and hay are matters for the Health and Safety Executive and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.