§ 2. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which areas off the coast of England and Wales he institutes conservation measures governing fishing by British vessels, other than measures taken under international agreements.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Heathcoat Amory)The sea fisheries committees, together with some river boards and harbour boards, cover between them all our coastal waters and their byelaws, made with my approval, contain various conservation measures.
§ Mr. HughesWhen the Minister emphasises the word "all," does he include Scottish waters as well? Can he say whether all these regulations have been observed, or whether there has been any prosecution in respect of the breach of them?
Mr. AmoryI was speaking of England and Wales, excluding Scotland. I cannot say offhand what prosecutions there have been under the byelaws of the various sea fisheries committees.
§ Mr. Edward EvansWhen the Minister talks about conservation measures, does he include regulations about the size of the mesh? If so, will he see that those regulations are imposed on foreign fishermen as stringently as they are upon British fishermen?
Mr. AmoryYes. What I said would cover regulations as to size of mesh made under the byelaws of the fisheries committees concerned and the river boards. As to foreign fishermen, each country is responsible for enforcing the international regulations on its own fishing.