§ Q2. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether he will advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to examine the ways in which the English law relating to salmon poaching can be made equivalent to the Scottish in the provision of penalties.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The Government have under consideration the Report of the Bledisloe Committee which reviewed the whole of the English salmon and freshwater fisheries law, including the question of penalties for salmon poaching.
§ Mr. WyattIs not this rather disappointing from the Prime Minister? After all, the last time he was here it was demonstrated that he was the greatest living expert on the subject of salmon poaching. Would he not like to leave some mark which will go down into the history of his administration? After all, the Bathurst Committee reported that these penalties ought to be raised. Will not the Prime Minister be letting down his English friends with fishing rights by leaving them in a worse position than his Scottish friends?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Member wants to know my prowess as a poacher he must put down a Question.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Emrys Hughes.
§ The Prime MinisterI have answered the Question. I said we are considering the Bledisloe Report, and in that recommendations are made about penalties for poaching in England. When we have made our decision we will announce it to the House.
§ Mr. SpeakerI called Mr. Emrys Hughes.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that there is a deep, historic division of opinion in Scotland whether the landlord has the right to own the salmon in the river or whether the poacher has an equal right, and will he not take an objective view and hand over salmon fishing rights to the Scottish Tourist Board to attract more tourists to Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterI note what the hon. Member has said.