§ 11. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any intention to review the inshore limits within which trawlers can fish in the Firth of Clyde.
§ Mr. John MacKayThere are no fishing limits in the Firth of Clyde, but there is a ban on vessels over 70ft fishing for white fish. We have no plans at present to review that ban, although we have discussed the matter with interested fishermen's organisations.
§ Mr. LambieIs the Minister aware that when the Saltcoats Sea Angling Association recently held its annual sea angling competition, I was not able to hand over the first prize of about £2,000 because that prize was for the heaviest cod and not one cod was caught. In order to protect the activities of the sea angling industry in the Firth of Clyde, is the Minister prepared to ban trawlers from fishing within the present limits, which are there no matter what the Minister says?
§ Mr. MacKayObviously I am sorry to hear that the hon. Gentleman was not able to present the prize. Perhaps if he had invited a better quality of angler to the competition they might have done better. I appreciate that sea anglers wish to catch fish and that historically the Clyde has a good record on cod. I could not agree to banning commerical fishermen from the Firth of Clyde, many of whom are my constituents. It would be quite wrong, and I see no reason to do that.
§ Mr. McQuarrieMy hon. Friend should be aware that the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Lambie) was referring to an international angling conference and that over 1,000 people took part in it. They did not catch one white fish. My hon. Friend should look at that matter to see whether there is the possibility of having some form of restriction to allow anglers at least to catch fish.
§ Mr. MacKayI always accept the advice of my hon. Friend on fishing matters. Indeed, if the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Lambie) wishes to write to me and draw my attention to the competition and when it took place, I shall look into the matter. I have to reinforce what I just said. I do not believe that we should consider banning the Clyde fishermen from the traditional fishing which they have always had in the Firth of Clyde.