Written Answers
Companies Acts Offences
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state, in respect of each of the years 1975–1984 inclusive:
The information available to me, which may be incomplete, is given in the table below. From the information collected centrally, it is not possible to distinguish proceedings against Section 332(3) of the Companies Act. Information for 1984 is not yet available.
| DEFENDANTS PROCEEDED AGAINST AT MAGISTRATES' COURTS AND FOUND GUILTY AT ALL COURTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES OF OFFENCES CONTRARY TO SECTIONS 30(4), 44, 187, 188, 332 AND 367 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 1948 AND SECTIONS 1, 16(2) AND 22 OF THE PROTECTION OF DEPOSITORS ACT 1963. | ||
| England and Wales | Number of Defendants | |
| Year | Proceeded against at magistrates' courts | Total found guilty at all courts(1) |
| 1976 | 13 | — |
| 1977(2) | 2 | 22 |
| 1978(2) | 4 | 26 |
| 1979 | 16 | 20 |
| 1980 | 22 | 38 |
| 1981 | 37 | 33 |
| 1982 | 40 | 41 |
| 1983 | 40 | 51 |
| (1) Proceedings may not be completed in the same year they commenced and persons may be found guilty in the Crown Court of a different offence from which they were proceeded against in the magistrates' court. | ||
| (2) Adjusted for the effects of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and the change in counting procedure—see paragraph 11–26 of Appendix 1 to Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1983 (Cmnd. 9349). | ||
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state, in respect of each of the years 1975 to 1984 inclusive:
The information available to me, which may be incomplete, is given in the following table. The information collected centrally does not include the occupant ion of the defendant. Information for 1984 is not yet available.
| DEFENDANTS PROCEEDED AGAINST AT MAGISTRATES' COURTS AND FOUND GUILTY AT ALL COURTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES OF OFFENCES CONTRARY TO SECTION 12(10) OF THE COMPANIES ACT 1976. | ||
| England and Wales | Number of Defendants | |
| Year | Proceeded against at magistrates' courts | Total found guilty at all courts(1) |
| 1979 | — | — |
| 1980 | 2 | 4 |
| 1981 | 6 | 5 |
| 1982 | 10 | 7 |
| 1983 | 18 | 15 |
| (1) Proceedings may not be completed in the same year they commenced and persons may be found guilty in the Crown Court of a different offence from which they were proceeded against in the magistrates' court. | ||
Wildfowl Shooting Ban
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are taking measures to protect wildfowl during periods of extremely cold weather.
My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment made an order on 14th January banning the shooting of wildfowl and other wild birds listed in Schedule 2, Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (except capercaillie) in England and Wales from 9 am on Wednesday 16th January 1985 until immediately before midnight on 29th January 1985.If the severe weather continues, it may be necessary to extend the period of the ban. If there is a seven-day frost-free period, it will be lifted.
Unemployed Males: Pension Record
asked Her Majesty's Government:To list in the
Official Report the number of men over the age of 18 years who have been registered as unemployed for over 12 months, and who were previously members of either a superannuation scheme or full contributors to the State Reserve Scheme; with the number for each category.
The information is not available in the form requested.
Agricultural R & D And Advisory Services
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make a statement on planned expenditure by the agricultural departments on research and development and advisory services.
In the Government's expenditure plans, published today, provision for expenditure by the agriculture departments on research and development has been reduced by £10 million in 1986–87 and on advisory services by £20 million in 1987–88. There are no reductions in planned expenditure for 1985–86.These changes reflect the Government's aim that industry should make a greater financial contribution towards research and development from which it benefits and to the cost of advisory services funded by the agricultural departments. As the White Paper makes clear, the figures are provisional and will be influenced by the progress made on the implementation of the Bell Report and the scope for industry support of research undertaken by the public sector. The agriculture Ministers have asked the Priorities Board on Research and Development in Agriculture and Food to consider and advise on the allocation of resources between the different sectors of agriculture and food research, taking account of future priorities for the direction of research and the scope and prospects for increased levels of industry funding.The proposed reductions in expenditure will be shared between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. MAFF expects to reduce expenditure on research by about £8¼ million in 1986–87 and by £16½ million in 1987–88 and to reduce expenditure on advisory services by about £16½ million in 1987–88. Part of the reduction will be borne by fisheries research (about£½ million by 1986–87 and £1 million in 1987–88).
Agriculture: Code Of Good Practice
asked Her Majesty's Government:What recommendations on good agricultural practice they propose to make in accordance with Section 31 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
The Secretary of State for Wales and my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have published today a Code of Good Agricultural Practice which gives guidance to farmers on minimising the risk of water pollution from fertilisers, pesticides, manures, silage and farm wastes. The code has been prepared in consultation with the farming and water industries and other interested organisations. The main points of the code are highlighted in a guide which is being sent to all farmers in England and Wales.This marks a further step in the Government's programme for environmental protection. By adhering to the published guidelines farmers will help reduce the current level of water pollution which is a matter of concern to us all. I believe that the vast majority of farmers care for the countryside in which they live and I urge them all to follow the code.The code relates to Section 31 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Under this section it is an offence knowingly to permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting substances to enter water, including underground water. The section recognises that farmers use potentially polluting substances in the course of normal farming practices which may result in the accidental pollution of water. It therefore provides that no offence is committed if the pollution was caused through an action in accordance with good agricultural practice.The code summarises the main operating points and refers to advisory publications available from the Ministry of Agriculture and other sources for advice on specific details. If farmers are in any doubt whether an activity is likely to cause pollution they should consult my Agricultural Development and Advisory Service.