Coarse Fishing (Hansard, 22 March 1993)

§ 7. Mr. Eric Clarke
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what support his Department gives to the sport of coarse fishing.

§ Mr. Brooke
Most Government funding of sport is made through the Sports Council. In 1991, the Sports Council paid grant of £20,000 to the National Federation of Anglers, the governing body for course fishing. The grant paid so far for 1992 is £15,000, but final levels of grant for that year and this are likely to be decided in May.

§ Mr. Clarke
The Secretary of State will be aware that his right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is setting up the Environment Protection Agency—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."] Yes, I am.

§ Madam Speaker
Order. That is just the sort of confession for which I have been waiting. The hon. Gentleman knows that during Question Time hon. Members do not read.

§ Mr. Clarke
Will the Secretary of State ask his right hon. and learned Friend to confer with the 4 million anglers—it is the most popular sport in Britain—about the work of the proposed agency so that we can ensure that it benefits both the environment and the anglers who enjoy that most popular sport?

§ Mr. Brooke
The hon. Gentleman makes what appears to be a wholly unexceptionable request. I will certainly talk to my right hon. and learned Friend.

§ Mr. John Marshall
Does my right hon. Friend not find it slightly ironic that the cheers in favour of angling and fishing come from those who, on every other occasion, are against any form of blood sport?

§ Mr. Brooke
That particular contradiction has been remarked on by others. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for mentioning it again.