§ 29. Mr. Donnellyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the issuing of salmon licences for coracle fishermen on the River Teifi.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI have informed the South-West Wales River Board that I do not feel able to make the Order they have applied for, because I am not satisfied that I have the power to do so or that such an Order would improve the fishery. I appreciate, however, the Board's concern with the future of coracle fishing on the River Teifi, and with this in mind I have 1175 suggested that they should meet my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to discuss the problems involved.
§ Mr. DonnellyWould the right hon. Gentleman agree, first, in principle, that it is desirable to have coracle fishing going on on this particular stretch of the river? Secondly, would he ask his hon. Friend also to receive representatives of the coracle fishermen, who would be only too happy to come to London and bring a coracle with them to show him, after seeing the South-West Wales River Board?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe answer to the first part of that supplementary question is, yes. I agree about the importance of coracle fishing on the river. I shall be only too willing to help in any way I can to solve this admittedly very difficult problem. So far as the second part of the supplementary question is concerned, I think we had better await the interview between the Parliamentary Secretary and the board, to see what progress is made, and then see whether any useful purpose would be served by asking the coracle fishermen to come to London to meet my hon. Friend.