HC Deb 01 December 1971 vol 827 cc434-5
20. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to make a statement on the Hunter Report on Fishing Rights.

59. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to introduce legislation relating to the Hunter Report.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The Government's proposals were outlined in a White Paper (Cmnd 4821) which was laid before Parliament on 16th November. These proposals will form the basis for legislation.

Mr. Dalyell

When can we expect the legislation?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The question of legislation will depend on the progress of other business in the House. I appreciate the desirability for early action.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

Is my hon. Friend aware that the issue of this White Paper compares well with the dilly-dallying and dilly-dallying of the Labour Government during their term of office, although they started off by saying that this was an urgent matter? On the question of drift-net fishing for salmon, are we now accepting that salmon is a river fish in this country? Is my hon. Friend aware of the great feeling in Scotland against drift-netting still being allowed for salmon fishing in England, and what can be done about this?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he said in the first part of his supplementary question. I ask him to remember that the traditional system of fishing off the coast in England is by drift-netting, whereas in Scotland it is by fixed engines. I am glad to tell my hon. Friend that the Northumberland River Authority is having discussions with interests concerned on the introduction of a limit on the number of licences issued in the southern part of its area and is also considering other conservation measures.

Mr. Maclennan

Is the Minister aware that the proposals in his White Paper are extremely reactionary and will open up no new salmon fishings to the Scottish public? If legislation is forthcoming, will the hon. Gentleman undertake that it will not be introduced in another place where the interests of the exclusive proprietors are more strongly represented than the interests of the people of Scotland?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

It is strange that the hon. Gentleman should be so carping when for five years his Government did absolutely nothing and in a fraction of that time we have come forward with proposals. The hon. Gentleman is totally unaware of the public response in Scotland to our proposals. What we have done in relation to angling has been welcomed by the great majority of angling clubs. What we propose is a big step forward not only for angling but for tourism and all the development this means in the rural areas of Scotland.