VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are now in a position to announce measures, legislative or otherwise, to put an end to drift-netting for salmon off the Tweed and other parts of the Scottish coast.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD CRAIGTON)My Lords, I can assure the noble Viscount 1088 that the Government's consideration of this matter is proceeding with all possible speed and that an announcement will be made very soon.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, can the noble Lord say what is holding up these negotiations? Is it that England is lagging behind Scotland in the matter? Another question I should like to ask is whether the noble Lord realises that, unless steps are taken to bring about the cessation of drift-netting for salmon, British salmon could become extinct within the course of a few decades? May I ask him this specific question? Would not regulations to control the marketing of salmon, involving a declaration of the source of supply, go a long way towards removing the incentive to fish for salmon outside the present legal limits? That is a definite suggestion.
§ LORD CRAIGTONMy Lords, I can assure the noble Viscount that in this, as in all important matters, our two countries are as one: there is no difference of opinion between Scotland and England. As regards the question of salmon being extinct in a few decades, that, of course, is a very important matter, though I doubt whether I would go so far as the noble Viscount. As regards the noble Viscount's third question, I think that he would be wise to await the announcement.
§ LORD FERRIERMy Lords, with all due respect to my noble friend Lord Craigton, "very soon" seems far too indefinite. Is it possible for him to give us something more specific?
§ LORD CRAIGTONMy Lords, I hope before the end of next week.