§ 28. Sir C. Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the concern felt by the salmon net fishing industry at the increasing losses inflicted by seals; and whether, in 955 conjunction with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, he will formulate proposals for the reduction of the grey seal population of the Fame Islands in the 1958 breeding season.
§ Mr. MaclayMy right hon. Friend and I are giving careful consideration to proposals for dealing with this problem which have been put forward after consultation with the interests concerned.
§ Sir C. Thornton-KemsleyIs my right hon. Friend aware that recent investigation has shown that the pre-war size of the seal-breeding colony on the Farne Islands has at least trebled and that enormous damage is done each year to salmon, both by maiming and by killing, and that heavy losses could be reduced by a controlled reduction of the number of seal calves during the breeding season?
§ Mr. MaclayThat is one of the matters which are being examined very closely. There are different views about the extent to which the Fame Islands breeding ground is at a critical point in this respect; but this requires consideration, and consultations are going on.