HC Deb 02 February 1984 vol 53 cc395-6
Sir Hector Monro

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the first meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation in Edinburgh on 16 January.

Mr. MacGregor

The inaugural meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation was held in Edinburgh from 17 to 20 January. That meeting concentrated on procedural and organisational matters. The organisation also established working arrangements with the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and formulated precise requests for scientific advice in preparation for the next meeting of the organisation in May which will consider possible regulatory measures for salmon fishing at Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Sir Hector Monro

Does my hon. Friend agree that we are unlikely to make much progress in international discussions unless we take firmer action on drift netting and poaching in this country? Is he aware that if that is not done salmon will become an endangered species, to the detriment of both angling and tourism?

Mr. MacGregor

I well understand my hon. Friend's remarks, as he and I have discussed these matters. Indeed, I was in his constituency over Christmas and was able to have discussions there. I accept that there is an urgent need to find a sensible method of dealing with poaching. That is why I said earlier that I hoped very shortly to have discussions with my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office. I am sure my hon. Friend agrees that the matter should be tackled on a Great Britain basis.

Mr. Canavan

Is the Minister aware that the Tory Government's only positive achievement in Scotland has been that their damaging economic policies have so deindustrialised the Clyde that the river is now so pure that salmon have returned to the upper reaches for the first time in more than a century?

Mr. MacGregor

That is an utter travesty of the situation in Scotland.

Mr. Onslow

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that at the meeting to which he referred the Irish Government told those present that they were pulling their full weight in salmon conservation matters? When he meets my noble Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, will he bear in mind that many people in Scotland believe that a salmon-tagging scheme could be effective there, even though no rod licensing system is in operation?

Mr. MacGregor

The first meeting was a constructive one and prepared for progress at the second. So far as I know, everyone participated fully. I note my hon. Friend's comments on the second point.