8. Lieut.-Colonel Colin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the commercial salmon catch for the period from 12th February to 25th August 1973 on the coast and estuaries of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Forfar compares with those in the last 20 years; whether he will consider increasing the present statutory weekly close time in order to conserve river stocks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MonroAlthough figures for 1973 are not yet available, there are indications that the netting catch will be higher than the relatively low figures of recent years. There is no evidence of any need to increase the weekly close time in the interests of conservation. Any alteration would, of course, require legislation.
Lieut.-Colonel MitchellI thank my hon. Friend for that answer, but has not the time arrived for major changes in the salmon laws? The figures are alarming—over 4,000 spring fish netted off the Aberdeen coast before the end of March.
§ Mr. MonroIt would be wrong to come to any conclusions until the full figures are available towards the end of this year. When these are available, my hon. Friend will look at the matter carefully.