§ 31. Mr. P. Browneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will implement the recommendations of the Blesdisloe Committee.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThe Committee's recommendations are numerous and many of them would involve legislation. My right hon. Friend is at the moment considering the views of the interests concerned on the recommendations and he will make a statement as soon as possible.
§ Mr. BrowneI fully accept that it is necessary to have legislation. That is why I asked the Question. Does not my hon. Friend agree that it is time we brought up to date the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act? Does he not appreciate that the pattern of fishing in our rivers and estuaries has changed considerably since the war? It is in order to safeguard the interests of netsmen and to ensure that the necessary orders make sense today that we want to see legislation introduced in the near future.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIt is for that very reason that these numerous consultations have been going on, and which of necessity take a long time. I can assure my hon. Friend that as soon as they have been satisfactorily concluded recommendations will be forthcoming.