§ Q7. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination that exists between the Scottish Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the measures necessary to curb salmon poaching; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterMeasures to curb salmon poaching are primarily a matter for the river boards in England and the district boards in Scotland to administer under the terms of the relevant statutes with the assistance of the police where necessary. I am satisfied that there is full co-ordination between the Departments when the need arises.
§ Mr. WyattDoes not the Prime Minister remember that when he was last in this House, while the Foreign Secretary was modernising the Tory Party, he was making 36 vigorous interventions demanding increased penalties for salmon poachers in Scotland, and he was so successful that now the penalties for salmon poachers in Scotland are much more severe than in England? As it is a subject which he really understands and about which he feels very strongly, does not he think that he ought to redress the balance as between England and Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterI am certainly willing to consider this sympathetically, as the closer English legislation gets to the Scottish model the better I am pleased.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that the one subject on which we regard him as an authority is salmon fishing? Is he aware that the last time he was in the House he wanted landlords to have the opportunity to arrest poachers themselves?
§ The Prime MinisterWhenever I answer a Question I am successful in getting a rise out of the hon. Gentleman.