§ 16. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his plans to alleviate the impact of rates on the economy of Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs the impact of rates on the economy of Northern Iredand is no greater than that in other parts of the United Kingdom, I have no plans to alleviate it.
§ Mr. FarrMay I draw the Secretary of State's attention to the fact that there has not been a general increase in rates in Northern Ireland for 20 years? As a result, there has been a sharp increase, in some cases, from £800 to £10,000 a year, with the consequent effect that 866 15,000 jobs are likely to be lost? Will he look at this with a view to securing a phased increase?
§ Mr. ReesRevaluation merely brings the level up to date, and it should have been done a long time ago. We are only just catching up. A phased increase would mean taking money from other parts of my budget for Northern Ireland, and I cannot do that.
18. Mr. Jim Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied that the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland has sufficient brown trout and rainbow trout angling waters available in Northern Ireland to meet both local and tourist angling needs.
§ Mr. DunnYes, Sir. The census of angling on the Department's waters shows that there is adequate capacity on its rainbow trout and brown trout waters except in the Belfast area, where the demand exceeds the supply of public angling available.
Mr. CallaghanI thank the Minister for his reply, but will he say what plans his Department has for the future stocking of these waters?
§ Mr. DunnThe Department keeps under continual review the stocking of these waters and listens to representations made by angling organisations. I am sure that if additional waters are required, that will be considered at the earliest possible opportunity.