§ MR. JOHN DEWAR (Inverness)To ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been directed to the fact that there has just been formed by the proprietors of the land surrounding Loch Ness an association to prevent the public from angling for trout in Loch Ness, except upon payment of an annual sum to the association; in view of the fact that this loch is part of the public waterway between the Moray Firth on the East, and Loch Lhinnie on the West of Scotland, and that the public have, from time immemorial, exercised the right of angling therein, does he propose to take any steps for the protection of the public right of angling.
(Answered by Mr. A. Graham Murray.) My attention has not been directed to the matter referred to by the hon. Member, but as the trout fishing in Loch Ness necessarily belongs to the riparian owners there is no action possible on my part.